Author Topic: ~ HISTORY & CULTURE TRIPS ~  (Read 9304 times)

Offline MysteRy

~ HISTORY & CULTURE TRIPS ~
« on: May 20, 2014, 10:16:49 AM »
Discover About The Maya Civilization - Chichen Itza, Mexico

Imagine a place hidden deep within the tropical jungles on Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, where the eternal cenotes pools and the water areas display a legacy from over a thousand years ago. Yes, the water is a display of the legacy of the ancient Maya civilization, because they developed one of their biggest cities, of course, in a close proximity to the water. Nowadays, some of the cenotes and the other pools are dry, while others still keep their awesome mystical watery environment. During your trip within the jungles of the peninsula`s northern tip, you can easily come across a variety interesting historical sights to witness and Chichen Itza is definitely the greatest one. It`s one of the most visited destinations for history and culture trips in Mexico, and it`s an unsurpassed ancient architectural masterpiece. Make sure to have a camera with lot of free memory, a huge hat and eyewear, and go discover about the Maya civilization - Chichen Itza, Mexico, North America. Another great idea is to have a map, but if you lose yourself, you can take full advantage of perhaps the greatest adventurist historical expedition that you can imagine. Plenty of surprising vistas, strange wildlife sounds, lush tropical jungles and surrealist historical constructions are only a hint of what`s to come.



Chichen Itza is the best place for history adventures on Yucatan peninsula, because it was one of the largest Maya settlements during the pre-Columbian era. Then, the ancient Maya civilization built their temples and stone constructions high above the green canopies of the tropical jungles as eternal monuments of their power, glory and way of life. Thus, the temples and constructions within Chichen Itza feature a well-distinctive Maya architectural design, each with its own rugged shape, gigantic scale and other unique stone constructions. The Mayans inhabited Chichen Itza from 7th to 13th century and they left for us an amazing historical legacy to explore nearly 10 centuries later. Most of the constructions are so huge and complex that it would be quite impressive to imagine the way the Mayans built them. Nevertheless, most of the ancient constructions and temples are well-preserved and legacies are depicted on each stone or ruin. A trip to Chichen Itza will be a peaceful escape from the modern world, as well as absolute self-immersing experience in the lush green colours of the tropical jungles. The palms and the other tall green exotic vegetation embrace the entire area around Chichen Itza, while its unique location in the middle of the peninsula`s northern portion offers a fast and easy transportation from all the other sites in this part of Mexico. Meanwhile, the central location of Chichen Itza is a display of this Mayan city as a centerpiece of their huge empire.



Plenty of amenities and comforts entice adventurers and explorers to stay for a  longer journey in Chichen Itza. For example, within just a short walking distance from the historical complex stretches another   complex. It comes to huge resorts and lodges that  offer all your comforts to stay for a night or  for a while. Their beautiful modern buildings rise within the green canopies of  the jungle trees like beautiful masterpieces of the modern architecture, and so if you plan a longer trip with your friends and family - a great idea is  to plan your stay ahead. Reserve your favorer vacation lodge or a cozy hotel room, and take full advantage of a number of trips to  Chichen Itza. The short distance of only a few hundred meters shows the flawless connection between modernity and history, while the lush tropical jungles are displays of exotic and nature. The amenities within the lodges and the hotels range from panoramic terraces, to villas with private parking lots and picturesque gardens. Moreover, only about a couple of kilometers northwest of Chichen Itza stretches the village of Piste, which is quite larger than the resort complex and it offers quite more abundant opts for lodging and amenities. The village of Piste itself is the gateway to Chichen Itza archaeological complex and most of the organized trips begin from Piste. The options from visiting Chichen Itza are different and even if you want to discover the ancient sites by yourself - an improvised self-guided tour is always a great idea.



The last one is quite more appealing when you want to literally dive yourself in the green tropical scenery on Yucatan peninsula. Even a hike expedition from Piste is a tempting idea to spend at least a couple of hours of walking within the lush jungles and their refreshing shaded trials. Another great idea is to have a map, but sometimes to lose yourself within the jungles is one of the greatest attractions to enjoy. This is one of the best ways to explore the abundant wildlife of the peninsula, the beautiful bird songs, the gorgeous textures and colours of the trees, the steep rocky terrains or the narrow rugged passages. This might also be a perfect way to imagine the routes of the ancient Maya civilization, which inhabited the same areas over a thousand years ago. This might also be the way to come across numerous ancient sites and ruined constructions, as well as witness ancient bas-reliefs on the scattered stones within the jungle trails. While searching to the greatest Mayan treasures, make sure to have a camera with a solid memory card and capture all the stunning tropical vistas that await you there. It comes to the dazzling powerful glow of the sun`s rays that pass through the yet lush canopies of the trees, or the majestic flights of the tropical birds, or the winding narrow trails... Or else, just follow the directions to Chichen Itza and transport yourself as soon as you can, just to make sure that you will have the entire day to spend within this amazing yet gigantic Maya city. Suddenly, when you get to Chichen Itza, you will need only a blink of the eye to know that you have found what you`re searching for.



The dense jungle trees and lush green colours change with huge open-air areas. The winding trails and rocky rugged terrains change with spacious green meadows and panoramic trails that look like corridors in a huge archaeological museum. Only the gigantic ancient constructions of the Maya civilization stretch high above the air and the green vibrant skyline of the jungle. El Castillo Temple is the largest one. It symbolizes a gigantic pyramid with numerous step-like levels, which are topped by a rectangular temple. The height of El Castillo is nearly 30 meters above the green lawns, which makes  it the highest landmark in Chichen Itza. A central location right in the heart of the greatest lawn also makes it the most remarkable site, while at the four sides of the pyramid stretch long steep stone staircases that lead to the temple at the top. It`s prohibited for climbing, but when you look up to the sky from the base of El Castillo, you may think that the stairs lead to a temple in the clouds.



Continue your walk trip around the base of the temple, take some breathtaking photos, and visit the other interesting sites in the complex. The green meadows and lawns are everywhere within the complex, while the hidden trails lead to some of the most beautiful archaeological landmarks. For example, right behind El Castillo stretch hundreds of ancient columns over a huge stone foundation. Right between them rise another two temples, while the entire eastern area of El Castillo creates another well-distinctive complex to visit. From the northern side of El Castillo is located Platforma de Venus, which is also a sight that you can`t miss.


           The journey in Chichen Itza will change into an unforgettable collection of historical sights, beautiful exotic vistas, unspoiled jungles and plenty of green flat meadows that invite a unique sense of exotic freshness. The clear blue sky alters the atmosphere even more for your history and culture trips in Chichen Itza, while the entire surrounding area is full of other historical sights to witness. First, you will have to explore the and that`s why to lose yourself within the trails of the complex is one of the most exciting outdoor adventures during your jungle expedition. The modern comforts in Piste village offer all your comforts, while the exotic lodges and resorts nearby Chichen Itza help you to take a pick of the vast array of places to stay for a night or stay for a while, within just a short walk trip distance from your heavenly secluded historical Maya paradise. When you get there, the giant El Castillo, the Templo de las Mesas, the Templo de los Guerreros, Templo de las Mesitas, the gigantic column constructions and plenty of other sites will definitely help you to discover about the Maya civilization - Chichen Itza, Mexico, North America.

Offline MysteRy

~ Experience The Palace Of The King In Phnom Penh, Cambodia ~
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2014, 10:21:17 AM »
Experience The Palace Of The King In Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A vacation in the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, is always a great choice to meet the warm sunny summer days with a wealth of historical impressions. Moreover, they would be truly exciting and unforgettable history and culture trips, thanks to a unique variety of legacies and cultural landmarks that await you there. Take advantage of the amazing exotic historical atmosphere in the southern portion of Asia, while if you explore the capital of Cambodia for a couple of days, you will always want to return to enjoy more historical experiences. A great hint is to keep in mind a gigantic palace complex that stretches right in the heart of the city and it`s dedicated to the King of Cambodia. The tradition continues even nowadays and you can learn more if you experience the palace of the King in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It`s located at a short walk trip from the Downtown area, as well as right alongside Royal Palace park and the sparkling waters of the Mekong River.



Indeed, the Mekong River is one of the most sacred and famous objects that give rise to the city`s fame as one of the most beautiful historical cities in the country. Yet it`s the largest one and the capital city, while a short boat trip with an authentic boat might always be the best beginning of your adventures in Phnom Penh. You can explore a variety of blue watery areas such as water channels, ponds, inlets and others. The outskirts of the city enjoy lush green hills with ponds and lakes, while the shoreline of the river is definitely the greatest paradise for boating. You can reveal the Downtown area from a different perspective, while the tallest constructions of the Royal Palace stretch high over the skyline like beautiful beacons of eternity, like majestic architectural masterpieces, like golden pagoda-like silhouettes or mystical temple shrines. The captivating historical atmosphere can be felt everywhere in Phnom Penh, even during a boat trip along the Mekong River. On the other hand, Phnom Penh is the largest and capital city of Cambodia, and so it has a unique modern charm with plenty of luxury accommodations, restaurants, shops and other amenities. You can easily find your own lovely place to stay and dine, according to your budged or free time, while another great idea is to have more free time to explore the Royal Palace. It`s so huge and beautiful that even a full day might be insufficient to explore all its hidden relics, panoramic trails and golden sights. The Royal Palace is the palace of the King of Cambodia and it is the most iconic landmark in this gigantic yet modern city.



A wonderful historical legacy from the mid-19th century offers a truly immersive experience back in time, when it was built as built as the King`s residence. Numerous buildings and constructions were added during the centuries to create the contemporary outlook of the palace. Nowadays, it is also the residence of the King of Cambodia and so the residences of the King cover nearly a half of the palace area. The other half is open for visitors and the entrance is via fee. You can explore only the open areas to the public, while the beautiful panoramic vistas of the entire skyline will   take you to a trip quite back in time. Another great idea is to play a complementary fee and take your camera with you. Photographing within the Royal Palace is one of the most beautiful adventures to remember your historical experience, especially if you visit the palace in the warm sunny summer days. With a warm golden glow of the sunset that reflects on the yet golden pagoda-like temples, the lush green gardens and the clear blue sky - the vistas within the palace will definitely seduce you to take a photo after a photo. You can even be a witness of different rituals with a religious importance for the monks, while if you want to begin your trip with another exciting photographing therapy - enjoy a walk trip along the very shores of the river. The riverfront stretches at only a couple of streets distance from the palace and just adjacent to the park. There, a long panoramic walkway stretches right between the water and the noisy cars. Meanwhile, it offers breathtaking views of the river and the hustling modern atmosphere in Downtown Phnom Penh. Take a few pictures, enjoy the panoramic benches, enjoy the tall historical monuments perched high over the skyline and prepare yourself for the greatest historical adventure within the Royal Palace.



It becomes with the entrance through the gates of the palace and even from the first minutes, you can spot the harmony between the unique layout and shape of this huge palace. It`s subdivided into a series of sections or grounds, each with its own unique architectural landmarks, gardens, courtyards, trails and other relics to explore. Overall, the Royal Palace is an unsurpassed example of the Khmer architectural style, which implements in every detail, symbol or silhouette. The dry season from November to February offers the greatest settings to visit the palace, when the warm exotic sunshine continues almost throughout the day and the days are warm. The palace then is quite overcrowded in the mid-season, but the bustling noisy atmosphere with people from all over the world somehow reminds the bustling atmosphere from the past. Just find the best panoramic spots to watch the grounds of the palace at once or at least the greater part of them. Another great advantage of the dry season is that the rains occur rarely and so you can enjoy your historical exploration trip with the picture perfect conditions. There are definitely lot of intriguing sites to explore. Most of them have well-distinctive Khmer architectural designs and they are subdivided according to the different walled areas. The most famous buildings are the Throne Hall and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Khmer murals are a permanent part of most building and constructions, and most of which date even from the very beginning of the historical background of the palace complex. An amazing collection of pavilions, stupas, halls and other artifacts highlight the skyline of the complex, while the gorgeous yellow, bright, white and golden nuances overwhelm the senses with a unique feel of sophistication, exotic and elegance. The warm air temperature and the clear blue sky in the mid-dry season can make you feel exhausted, but the numerous refreshing vistas such as green grounds, scenically pruned trees, picturesque lawns, tranquil remote trails and shaded corners with palm trees will seduce you to stop for a while, unwind and take a break.



Or else, make sure to have a solid memory card for your camera and change every stop into the flawless photographing therapy of  the Phnom Penh`s Royal Palace. There are so many beautiful golden sights to capture with your camera that perhaps the most remote and isolated corners within the complex are the best places to enjoy the  most comprehensive vistas. Another great idea is to wait until the sunset, when the  Royal Palace becomes a completely different historical landmark. Then, it`s bathed by a warm golden glow, which reflects on every detail, golden plated decoration or other Khmer construction. The azure blue sky becomes darker and darker, while the white clouds also change into purple pieces of cotton. Moreover, the grounds of the Royal Palace make no exception and so the green gardens, pruned trees, peaceful trails and flower-scented lawns enjoy a warm golden glow of the sunset too.



When you pamper your senses with the golden nuances on the skyline, you can also spot the majestic towers and pagodas that stretch over the skyline from a different viewpoint. The Moonlight Pavilion has one of the tallest and most remarkable towers that rise in the horizon, while the Silver Pagoda becomes one of the most colourful constructions within the complex, especially at sunset. Your trip to the Royal Palace in Downtown Phnom Penh will be a wonderful experience back in time, of course with the captivating charm of southern Cambodia. The exotic nuances during the dry season alter the entire experience with lots of warmth and mystic golden reflections, while just after the sun completely sets behind the skyline - you will always want to return to this city and explore the Royal Palace.

        Experience the Palace of the King in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, explore the legacy of the centuries that is depicted on every corner or unique pavilion building, explore the true natural beauty of the palace gardens, the flower-scented alleys, the panoramic shaded corners, the beautiful riverfront... Everything in Downtown Phnom Penh is a unique mix of beauty, modernity and history, but the awesome landmarks within the Royal Palace combine the passion, style and sophistication of the ancient Khmer civilizations to provide a fairytale experience for your history and culture trips nowadays.

Offline MysteRy

~ Discover Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium ~
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2014, 10:25:43 AM »
Discover Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium

   The summer in the capital of Belgium is always an exciting adventure for you and your loved ones, but if you plan a trip only with your beloved - make sure to visit the Downtown's Grand Place. This place impresses with its amazing historical legacy and charm, rather than its scale and size. It is one beautiful small square right in the heart of Brussels, but it delivers an unforgettable experience during your history and culture trips. A romantic trip, a family adventure or just passing through the square - you will be impressed to discover Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium. It's bounded by historical facades of numerous tall buildings, while two giant buildings stand in front of each other right in the middle of the northern and southern side of the square. There are also modern cafeterias with historical furniture, tall historic buildings with colourful facades, giant Gothic towers on the clear blue skyline... overall, this place is a quite small, but a quite impressive historical place.



There are so many interesting historical sites and cultural monuments in Brussels that you may truly need a whole eternity to visit all of them. This city enjoys a wonderful historical legacy that left for us an enormous variety of historical sites and, indeed, every house, square or street within the old portion of the city is a unique historical landmark. These historical landmarks are easy remarkable as well, thanks to their giant windows and amazing medieval architectures with darker nuances, plenty of details, statues and exuberant shapes. Just a short impromptu trip within the Downtown is enough to reveal a unique mix of architectural styles and historical charms, while the contrasting modern atmosphere of Brussels delivers the most abstract and strange experience that you can imagine. Yet it's the capital and largest city, and it's full of giant luxury estates, shopping centers, shiny stores, exquisite restaurants and huge office buildings. Everything in Brussels is a unique mix of modernity and history, and this unique mix will tempt you to stroll around with hours. However, there is one magical place right in the city center, which you should keep always in mind during your trip in Brussels. It comes to the most central and main square in the city - Grand Place. Even its name suggests the size and importance of this square, while as soon as you get to the square you may need just a blink of the eye to witness the amazing vision from the Middle Age. Grand Place is easily accessible from everywhere within the city center, as well as connected via numerous transportation vehicles with the other portions of the city. A fast and easy escape to Grand Place will tempt you to escape to every day for a couple of hours or at least every weekend.



No matter your choice - Grand Place is overcrowded throughout the year because it is the greatest historical landmark in  Brussels, where people gather to see and be seen. Imagine the atmosphere in the mid-summer, when the warm sunshine beats down the historical facades of the surrounding buildings, or imagine the winter with tis cool air temperature and crisp humid winds. All these imaginary vistas highlight the eternal timeless beauty of Grand Place, as well as depict that the best time to visit this unique historical destination is throughout the year. It's just the perfect place to soak up in the historical charm of Brussels. Especially if you visit the square in the nighttime - you can take full advantage of unmatched historical experiences. It comes to a unique opportunity to discover the true mystical dark atmosphere of Downtown Brussels, which feels in the air. Despite the countless bright nightlights of this yet huge modern city, the nighttime within Grand Place is accompanied by the majestic silhouette of the Brussels Town Hall, the Museum of the City of Brussels and many other ancient buildings with their strange facades and giant glossy windows. For example, the Town Hall is the most impressive landmark within the square. It stretches nearly a hundred meters above the ground, while a giant central Gothic Tower dominates the entire skyline of central Brussels. The gorgeous white nuances of the building magically highlight a historical legacy from the very end of the medieval, while the Gothic architectural style includes a variety of pinnacles, pointed dark roofs and lots of symmetry as well. Enjoy a couple of hours of a nighttime inspiration within Grand Place and return to your hotel room or suite. On the next morning, begin your magical awakening right from Grand Place and you shall find the Gothic silhouette of the Town Hall bathed in a completely different bright glow.



That's the contrasting colour between the day and the night, while the most beautiful contrast is definitely at sunrise. Then, all the complex details, vaults, arches, pinnacles, statues and other Gothic decorations offer a breathtaking mystical game of lights and shadows. Undoubtedly, the medieval Town Hall is the most impressive attraction within the square, but that's not all. After your morning trip, enjoy a warm cup of a refreshing coffee or tea in one of the many restaurants and eateries that bound the square. Grand Place is a truly historical place, but it has plenty of modern amenities in the meantime. It also has unique historical performances and there is held the exhibition of "Flower Carpet". Every two years this exhibition transforms the square into a colourful fairytale with countless begonia species and respectively, a fragrant concoction of colours with different shapes. Moreover, the paved square offers irresistible settings to stroll around the edges of the square and discover the opposite buildings from a greater distance. Thus, you can take full advantage of the most comprehensive panoramic vistas of all the gorgeous Gothic buildings and medieval details.



This might be a great idea to spot the historical charm of Grand Place from a different angle, as well as see all the vertical and horizontal layers of architectural details that stretch from side to side of the skyline. They implement in every building and they create the true beautiful  historical atmosphere during your walk trip. You will reveal the gorgeous three or four level buildings that rise everywhere over the skyline like beautiful beacons of history. They all have parallel lines and huge windows, as well as other well-distinctive architectural details from the medieval. The lush ornaments include tall pillars, arched vaults, statues and darker nuances. Even atop the Town Hall stretches a golden statue of Saint Michael, which creates a truly impressive accent on the skyline. And what a skyline? The summer days enjoy a caressing sunshine, while the clear blue sky is just mesmerizing. This unique contrast between the blue sky and the light nuances of the historical buildings change Grand Place into one of the most romantic places in all over the city.



If you plan a trip only with your loved one for the summer or the spring in Brussels, make sure to visit the gorgeous central square in the heart of the city and alter your romance with a wealth of historical sensations. The Museum of the City of Brussels is another iconic building that stretches just in front the Town Hall. It's also known as the Maison du Roi and it exhibits a huge collection of sculptures, photos, paintings and other artworks. Actually while strolling around Grand Place you may think that you are in a huge historical museum, while if you visit the Museum of the City of Brussels, you will be right in the heart of the museum. Taking photos is a peaceful pastime from the bustling noisy square, as well as perfect fit to dive yourself in a thrilling historical adventure. Just all the sights and objects on the skyline are so picturesque that all the photos will become a unique collection of masterpiece pictures and unforgettable emotions. Meanwhile, the always coming and going people will help you to imagine the same atmosphere from the medieval and so until the sunset of another beautiful historic day in Downtown Brussels.


              Discover Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium, and you will reveal that it's a pretty small place with a wealth of beautiful historical vistas. They are these vistas, which will seduce you to become a photographer or wait until the night. The captivating nightlights transform the entire historical atmosphere within the Grand Place into a truly mystical inspiring atmosphere. The giant Gothic towers on the skyline remember the silhouette of the city from the medieval, while the bright sunny nuances during the daytime invite a unique sense of a timeless inspiration. Thus, the best time for history and culture trips within Grand Place is always, but there is nothing to compare with a summer night. Then you will be seduced to deep breath fresh air just to clear your mind in the tranquility of the night and the Gothic harmony of silhouettes, while the night noises will seduce you to enjoy plenty of imaginary vistas from around the medieval.

Offline MysteRy

~ Explore Slovenian History - Piran ~
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2014, 10:32:50 AM »
Explore Slovenian History - Piran

  Explore Slovenian history - Piran, and you will reveal your next own lovely place for historical expeditions. Or else, you may need only a couple of days to explore the entire city and so choose another fabulous destination for your next trip. A small size of Piran helps you to stroll around the city all day long and so discover all the fabulous historical monuments and places that stretch from side to side. This small city enjoys such a beautiful location along the shores of the Adriatic, that you might also be seduced to stop at every corner and enjoy the scenery, rather than the historical landmarks. That`s why a great idea is to enjoy all that awaits you during your history and culture trips in Piran, Slovenia, and next are a few irresistible ideas.



Of course, the brightest idea is to enjoy the best panoramic vistas during your arrival to Piran. What better way to begin your historical adventure even from before you become a part of the historical charm of Piran. For that, a slow panoramic boat trip within the northernmost portion of the Adriatic is always a tempting idea, especially if you enjoy your trip in the summer. Piran is a wonderful place for historical trips all around the year, but during the summer months, you can take full advantage of a warm Mediterranean climate with lots of sunshine, warm crystal-clear waters with plenty of fish and invigorating coastal winds. Piran is one of the few cities located along the coast of Slovenia, yet this country enjoys only a small portion of its border alongside the sea. Meanwhile, a close proximity to the town of Trieste and all the other Italian cities on the opposite side of the sea offers a fast and easy transportation to Piran by water. In a close proximity to the southern side of the city stretches the gorgeous Dalmatian coast and Croatia, which on the other hand, also has appealing spots from where to begin a scenic boat trip in the summer. Piran enjoys a unique location at the tip of a small peninsula, while the most beautiful advantage of the peninsula is a lush green scenery with rolling hills and panoramic coastal viewpoints. Arriving in Piran by land is another irresistible idea to keep in mind. A short drive trip from the other great cities in southern Slovenia offers a perfect fit to explore numerous small historical villages along your way. The inspiring traditional architectures and small routes invite people to forget the modern, bustling and noisy atmosphere in the big megacity, and transport to a completely different world. That`s why Piran is one of the best cities in all over the country for timeless history adventures. A captivating medieval charm of the city is a permanent part of the atmosphere, while its location at the end of the peninsula offers another fabulous sense of isolation and remoteness. Imagine the natural beauty of Piran, which enjoys the blue water of the sea from the one side and the steep green-topped hills from the other side. It`s definitely one of the smallest, but most beautiful cities in all over Slovenia.



The warm summer days with an air temperature of often over 30 degrees  Celsius make Piran even more beautiful and charming, which means more passionate and captivating historical trips. One of the most usual things to do from the first hours of your journey is to climb to the green city outskirts, where stretch numerous forests, meadows and scenic villas. At only a short walk trip around the eastern outskirts of the city, you can come across a completely different atmosphere. Meanwhile the most beautiful viewpoints of Piran offer striking panoramic vistas of all that awaits you after. Thanks to the green natural colours of the hills and the forests - just a short walk trip invites a unique sense of a natural freshness. Thanks to the warm sunshine and the warm blue waters of the Adriatic - you can take full advantage of the true colours of the history, because the vistas of Piran skyline are actually unique historical vistas. The highest hills offer the best vistas, which include the medieval cityscapes with their old houses and reddish rooftops. The small narrow streets connect every corner within the town, while the tall tower of a church and the other famous historical landmarks stretch high over the skyline of Piran. When viewed from above, you may think that the cityscapes of Piran are a huge maze of historical streets and medieval houses. However, after your passionate hiking and climbing adventure - make sure to explore the Slovenian history of Piran from a closer distance.



If you enjoy Piran`s coastal promenade at dusk, you can pamper your spiritual sense with lots of historical fairytale impressions. For example, at the very tip of the peninsula stretches a church with a tall tower, which rises between the sea and the cityscapes of Piran like a beautiful beacon of history, like a majestic beacon of ancient architecture, like beacon of romance, like a lighthouse or something fairytale from the past. In all cases, when you get closer, you will spot its beautiful historical outlook with a huge rounded stone facade. It marks the westernmost part of the city, while the promenade offers striking panoramic views of the sea from the other side. It`s the Adriatic`s endless blue horizon that creates a magical sense of inspiration, thanks to the purple glow of the last sun`s rays and the golden aura in the most distant part of the horizon. A cooler air temperature of about 25 degrees entices you to continue your refined walk trip by the seashore and so explore more historical landmarks alongside the boardwalk. The silhouette of Saint George`s Church is another magical highlight on the skyline of the city, especially when you reveal its location on top of a scenic hill.



On the next morning, begin your trip with a visit to the church itself, but this time from a close proximity. Enjoy a trip along its beautiful green grounds and discover all the gorgeous Venetian Renaissance architectural details. The giant clock tower and campanile offer striking sights to witness even from far, but the near views will show the true reddish nuances of the roofs and the bright nuances of the walls, the facades... just about all the details of the church look like an old Venetian picture comes to life. This amazing church is definitely the most impressive historical landmark in Piran. It`s built in the beginning  of 17th century, but legacies are depicted on every stone or fundaments even since 12th century. It`s located alongside the very northern shore of the city and so it is one of the tallest and well-distinctive constructions in all over the city. Piran city itself is a giant historical landmark, while its historical charm makes it an irresistible treasure for historians and lovers.



Then, explore the other historical landmarks within Piran. The famous Tartini Square stretches right in the Downtown and it is another iconic landmark in Piran. Moreover, from the southern side of the square stretches the harbour of Piran, which also makes no exception. The best thing is that there is just a short walk trip distance or about a hundred meters between these three iconic landmarks. Explore the church with its giant medieval tower, then enjoy a flawless afternoon within the square and taste the miracle local dishes in a historical restaurant or cafeteria along the square and then visit the harbour to see its numerous white boats, sails and yachts. Until the end of another beautiful day in Piran, when the very coastal area becomes the best place to meet the golden rays of the sunset. With a view of the lighthouse and the church, perched high on top the coastal cliffs from the one side, the amazing sparkling sound of the waves from the other side and the golden aura of the skyline - it would be a picture perfect end of your historical journey in Piran.


            A vacation in Piran for the weekend, a romantic getaway for the summer or a short impromptu trip for a couple of hours - there is a perfect for a wonderful experience. This city is so small that even a walk trip for a day is enough to visit all its fairytale medieval buildings, streets and historical landmarks. However, this city is so beautiful that even a full day might be insufficient to enjoy its natural beauty. Explore Slovenian history - Piran, make your history and culture trips full of unforgettable beautiful experiences, and you will always want to escape to every season for more historical inspirations.

Offline MysteRy

~ Explore The History Of El Castillo, Tulum, Mexico ~
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2014, 10:37:17 AM »
Explore The History Of El Castillo, Tulum, Mexico

Transport yourself to the tip of Yucatan Peninsula, where await you dozens of ancient Mayan cities to explore. They create one of the world`s most extensive collections of ancient Mayan sites, as well as showcase a unique historical legacy of Mexico. Moreover, explore the history of El Castillo, Tulum, Mexico, and you can take advantage of the greatest history and culture trips. El Castillo and Tulum are two completely different sites with different landmarks, constructions and ancient formations, but they are the greatest ones.



Actually, El Castillo is the nickname of a bit larger and most famous ancient site of the Mayan civilization. It comes to the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza which was one of the largest and most thriving urban areas in around 10th century. It is located in the very heart of the Yucatan peninsula while in present days it is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites of the ancient Mayans. The modern town of Piste stretches only about a couple of kilometers to the northwest, which is at just a short walking trip distance. Moreover, when you visit Chichen Itza you may need at least a full day to explore all its magical and mystical remains, ancient constructions, stone decorations and other artifacts. A lush green scenery makes another permanent highlight to the mystical historical atmosphere, as well as perfect cozy shadow to escape from the caressing rays of the tropical sun. El Castillo is the main landmark in Chichen Itza or at least the highest one. It is a gigantic pyramid right in the center of the ancient city while a vast array of surrounding historical landmarks transform Chichen Itza into one of the most beautiful displays of ancient Mayan architectures in all over the peninsula. Tulum is, of course, the next fabulous place that should be high on your trip list. It is also an ancient city of the Mayan civilization, but it offers a completely different atmosphere and landscapes. The modern city of Tulum is one of the most famous resorts along the Riviera Maya, while the ancient Mayan city of Tulum is perched high on top the coastal cliffs that overlook the Caribbean. This ancient site exuberate in archaeological remains and historical artifacts. So, the even more exotic atmosphere and the close proximity to the white sandy Caribbean beach create a picture perfect place for history trips and leisure at once. Tulum is so huge and it is full with such a vast variety of interesting landmarks to witness that even a full day might be insufficient for a tour. You may need at least another full day to enjoy the Caribbean waves and the leisure opts on the beach, and so prepare yourself for a truly long and exciting journey.



More exactly, in Tulum await you a huge scenic national park with unspoiled green corners, a couple of fine white sandy  beaches that overlook the Caribbean`s uninterrupted sublime skyline and a bunch of tall coastal cliffs that offer striking panoramic vistas of everything. The modern city of  Tulum is located only a few kilometers away from the coast and so from the ancient city, while numerous of tempting lodgings and tropical settings will seduce you to rent your own lovely villa, hotel room or cottage and enjoy a quite long historical adventure in Tulum. The early morning glow of the sunrise offers wonderful settings to begin your trip to the ancient city of Tulum, while if you witness the first rays of the sunrise rising from the ancient remains of the Mayan temples, you can take full advantage of an unparalleled spiritual atmosphere. The fresh Caribbean breeze alters the atmosphere with lot of fresh air, while the warm touch of the sun`s hand is a warm touch of coziness. Spend at least a full day while strolling around the remains of the temples and the other Mayan constructions and imagine the bustling urban atmosphere from the Mayan era. Even nowadays, the beaches of Tulum are far quieter and less overcrowded than the archaeological site itself. People from all over the world gather to explore a unique cultural heritage of the Mayans, while undoubtedly the panoramic vistas of the sea deliver an irresistible accent to your journey in Tulum.



Your friends, family or loved one may want to dive in the warm turquoise waves of the Caribbean, especially if enjoy your journey in the mid-summer. Then, an air temperature of often over 40 degrees Celsius becomes quite overwhelming and you will be seduced to stop for a while under the refreshing dark shadows of the huge palms. Another great idea is just to leave yourself to the warm turquoise waves and enjoy a couple of hours on the beach of Tulum. Thus, you can see the majestic silhouettes of the ancient Mayan temples from a different viewpoint. It is a viewpoint that helps you to discover the ancient vision of the Mayans, which built their temples and masterpieces perched on the top of the cliffs. Thus, you can feel the eternal exotic charm of the Caribbean, which is a permanent part of the urban atmosphere in Tulum, just like in around 15th century. Enjoy your leisure within the green palm trees and the fine white sands, walk along the beach with feet in the waves and watch the temples. Then, go explore them from a closer proximity.



The legacy of Tulum dates back to 10th century, when it was a major harbour along the Yucatan peninsula and so a gateway to the Caribbean. This helped the fast development and thriving urbanization of Tulum as a centerpiece of the Mayan civilization. They built their monuments such as temples, shrines, platforms with gates, pillars and a huge castle construction. A network of pathways cross through the spacious meadows and courtyards to provide plenty of scenic spots for observation and so another great idea is to have a solid memory card for your camera, especially at sunset. This is perhaps the most romantic and inspiring moment to capture the ancient ruins of Tulum bathed in a warm golden glow under the clear purple sky from the one side and the endless blue skyline of the sea from the other side. On the next day - begin your journey again with the first rays of the morning sunrise glow and take a trip to Chichen Itza. There is only about an hour`s drive from Tulum, while the journey will show you some of the most beautiful corners and pathways on the Yucatan peninsula. When you get to the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza, you will need only a blink of the eye to immerse yourself in another historical journey to the Mayan era. Chichen Itza enjoys a legacy from an even earlier period - the pre-Columbian era from 9th century. It has a variety of huge temples and pillars, while the size of the site is overwhelming too. This is due to a unique location of Chichen Itza nearby the so known Cenotes or huge ponds, which were the main source of fresh water in the past. Even nowadays, you can come across the gorgeous scenic Cenotes of Chichen Itza, which are huge underground wells and spectacular natural landmarks as well.



Then, follow the shaded trails through the jungle and they will lead you to the enormous ancient city of Chichen Itza. It is also well remarkable from distance, thanks to the enormous El Castillo monument yet rising high over the green canopies of the trees. A huge step-like silhouette is an iconic landmark of Chichen Itza and it is definitely the greatest and most impressive landmark in all over the ancient Mayan city. El Castillo has a series of giant steps or terraces with a pyramidal overlook, as well as topped by a rectangular temple. The huge four staircases are another amazing feature of the El Castillo`s unique construction, while the thought that everything is made out of solid stones is a pretty impressive thought. It would be a miracle or mirage to imagine how the ancient Mayans built such an enormous construction before such a long time ago. Further, your trip along the pyramid offers awesome panoramic views of the surrounding archaeological remains and landamrks in Chichen Itza, which are also quite inspiring and impressive.


           With a trip to El Castillo, you can explore one of the greatest ancient constructions of the Mayan civilization, while a trip to the ancient city of Tulum offers an unsurpassed exotic historical experience along the Caribbean. Overall, these two sites are only two of all the other Mayan cities and iconic historical landmarks, but they are two of the greatest ones. Explore the history of El Castillo, Tulum, Mexico, and you will always want to return to explore new places, artifacts, hidden historical relics, natural vistas, exotic atmospheres... The tip of Yucatan Peninsula is an unsurpassed exotic paradise for history and culture trips.

Offline MysteRy

~ Explore The Most Dramatic Town In England - Berwick Upon Tweed ~
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2014, 10:42:26 AM »
Explore The Most Dramatic Town In England - Berwick Upon Tweed

A trip for this summer or spring to the most northeastern corner of England will take you to a truly magical and unforgettable journey back in time. There, at only a couple of kilometers from the border with Scotland stretches a small historical village, where everything looks like a picture come to life. Explore the most dramatic town in England - Berwick Upon Tween, discover its true historical and natural atmosphere, diver yourself in a multitude of outdoor exploration journeys, and make your trips unforgettable! They will also be quite exciting history and culture trips, because numerous historical landmarks dot the cityscapes of the town, as well as gorgeous banks of the river estuary, and the seafront.



Everything in this yet small town is a beautiful harmony of history and culture, while an unsurpassed natural environment provides another permanent part of the atmosphere that awaits you there. Berwick Upon Tween is actually a truly green city. It is full of scenic parks, recreation corners and small tranquil streets, which on the other hand, highlight plenty of medieval houses and other iconic landmarks. The historical background of Berwick Upon Tween played a major role for the thriving urban atmosphere from nowadays. It comes to the centuries at the end of the medieval, when the change of the territory between the kingdoms of England and Scotland highlighted the historical legacy of the town with numerous architectural styles, cultural landmarks and other sites. For example, let`s take the numerous colours of the shops, the eateries, the old winding streets, the ancient bridges that cross above the river and the small city parks. Let`s take a trip to Berwick Parish Church, which is one of the most usual landmarks to visit while strolling around the city. It will show you a unique legacy from the mid-17th century, while in the meantime it`s located right next to the ancient fortifications of the town. They are these fortifications, which create the longest and most famous historical landmark in Berwick Upon Tween, while as soon as you witness the massive remains of the walls you will need only a blink of the eye to reveal that the wall was something like a border between the two kingdoms in the past. Nowadays. The border with Scotland stretches only about 4 kilometers northward from Berwick Upon Tween, while the blue waves of the sea act as a natural barrier from the eastern side. While strolling around the cityscapes of the town, you can also come across the iconic Tweed River, while just outside the westernmost outskirts of the city you can come across a completely different scenery. It comes to absolute unspoiled green woodlands and meadows, which dot the banks of the river and therefore create a real mesmerizing pleasure for the senses.



With green golf courses and tranquil panoramic trails - Berwick Upon Tween  enjoys a truly beautiful green atmosphere, especially in the summer. That`s why the longer summer days are perhaps the best time to explore this dramatic town, while in  the meantime, the sea is calmer and the waves are warmer. A warm summer sunshine alters the atmosphere  even more to create a  picture perfect fit for a full day outdoors. The best thing is that Berwick Upon Tween is a small charming historic city and only a couple of days are enough to explore its greatest landmarks and hidden natural beauties. It is easily accessible too, thanks to a railway station and a complex network of roadways. They provide a fast and easy connection with all the big cities along the northeastern portion of England, which are at only about an hour`s drive distance from Berwick Upon Tween. This town is a picture perfect destination for history and culture trips with your kids, family and friends for the weekend or just for an escape after a long day. Berwick Upon Tween is a truly calm and peaceful city with tranquil streets and a warm cozy historical atmosphere, so it also becomes an irresistible place for relaxing escapes. What about a romantic journey only with your beloved? This would be an unsurpassed historical romance right in the heart of one of the most dramatic historic towns in this part of England. In all cases, make sure to have a camera with a solid memory card, because the numerous historical and cultural landmarks will seduce you to become a photographer, especially when you keep in mind the stunning natural background of this town.



There are so many historical landmarks, that are worth the visit and this town is so small, that just a single day is enough to reveal the greatest historical sites. For example, the coastal area of Berwick Upon Tween is famous for a long pier that stretches deep into the waves of North Sea. At the tip of the pier rises an iconic lighthouse from 19th century and it`s well-distinctive red and white painting create a truly impressive romantic highlight on the endless skyline of the sea. Imagine the vistas at sunrise or sunset and you will reveal another fairytale side of the lighthouse. Imagine the sound of the crashing waves during the stormy months and you will reveal another inspiring atmosphere of this iconic landmark. The warm summer months are best to explore the lighthouse from a close proximity, while the panoramic vistas from the coast of Berwick Upon Tween depict a more comprehensive view of the lighthouse, which stretches like an eternal historical beacon above the waves.



Nowadays, Berwick Upon Tween becomes more popular for adventures in the summer, but remains far quieter than the other tourist hotspots along the northeastern coast of England. After your peaceful trip to the lighthouse, make sure to explore the ancient fortifications of Berwick Upon Tween. They rise over a huge area in the Old Town of Berwick Upon Tween and along the northern bank of the river. They mark a unique legacy from 13th to 17th century when they survived a series of attacks and occupations, from where derives their nickname as the "town`s castle". While strolling around the remains and well-preserved portions of the fortifications, you can see numerous bastions, tall massive walls and other ruined portions from the artillery fire before 17th century. The interesting artifacts to explore are also numerous, for example, historical guns and huge Victorian cannons. As a gateway to the Old Town or a huge border along the river, the ancient ramparts and fortifications are the greatest landmarks to explore in Berwick Upon Tween.



Exactly the opposite side of the river is the most tempting place to escape right after your historical trip. In other words, the most serene and scenic green banks of the Tweed River become irresistible places for leisure and relaxation, especially in a warm summer day with a clear blue sky. After a full-day trip around the historical and cultural legacy of Berwick Upon Tween you may probably feel exhausted from all the vistas of stone ruins, medieval historical architectures and all the other sites mentioned above. Therefore, an escape for about an hour or so after a long historical journey is always a great choice to unwind and refresh all your senses, as well as make your trip even more unforgettable. The green natural colours, textures, shapes and shades along the river will seduce you to leave yourself to an absolute refreshing natural atmosphere of Berwick Upon Tween, while a close proximity to the historical landmarks yet highlights a unique historical charm of the town. A relaxing trip along the river is a perfect choice to see the gorgeous railway bridge that crosses above the calm waters of the river. It has a series of ancient arches, while the nearby houses with their historical facades rise like beautiful displays in a historical museum. The opt for a natural refreshment becomes quite fairytale at sunset, when everything is bathed by the sun`s golden glow and then everything is reflected by the river`s calm water surface. The Tweed River is an unmatched place for relaxation after a long historical adventure, as well as perfect place to make your trips even more exciting and unforgettable.


         In Berwick Upon Tween you can come across a unique harmony of nature and historical landmarks, which delivers a unique sense of eternity or a travel through a timeless fairytale. From the fascinating panoramic vistas along the seafront, the lighthouse and the pier, to the lush green river banks with their numerous ancient buildings - this town is definitely one of the best destinations for history and culture trips in England. Then, explore the ancient fortress remains, the cannons, the Victorian ramparts, the ancient rail viaduct, the ancient traditional styles of the houses, the cafes... and just explore the most dramatic town in England - Berwick Upon Tween.

Offline MysteRy

~ An Ancient Venture In Ireland - Cashel Castle ~
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2014, 10:46:07 AM »
An Ancient Venture In Ireland - Cashel Castle

A trip to Ireland is always a great idea for the holiday or for your family weekend escape, especially when you want to enjoy some history and culture trips with lots of natural inspirations at once. Cashel Castle nearby the village of Cashel offers a wonderful experience that is right for you. It is a huge ruined medieval castle yet with a captivating architectural charm and impressive silhouette. Therefore, if you want to enjoy an ancient venture in Ireland - Cashel Castle should always be high on your trip list. A couple of hours with the kids and your loved ones or maybe a full day outdoors around the remains of the castle - this place is a magical piece of history and culture that seduces historical explorers.



Cashel Castle is located only a few hundred meters from the main street in the village of Cashel or just around the northern outskirts of the town. They both have the same name and, more exactly, the caste enjoys the nickname of the Rock of Cashel. It is related to an ancient legend about St. Patrick, while the uses of the constructions were mainly as a castle, the seat of the kings and then as a church. You may need only a blink of the eye to feel the enormous invisible influence of the time, which resulted many of the constructions to ruin and scatter over the ground. Some constructions have no rooftops, other are with ruined walls and that`s only a hint of what`s to come. The massive stone construction features plenty of other interesting secrets to explore, while a close proximity to the modern city of Cashel offers a fast and easy escape to this quiet and scenic place. On the other hand, the awesome amenities in the village can seduce you to stay for at least a couple of days and so enjoy a quite long historical adventure to the famous Rock of Cashel. What better opts to explore the city of Cashel, than to stay for a couple of days? It is so small and charming that only a few hours are enough to completely dive yourself in the true hidden historical charm of Cashel, especially when you keep in mind the majestic silhouette of the castle towering high over the northern skyline of the city. Cashel city also abounds in other historical landmarks, monuments and cultural sites, for example, a series of colourful houses that surround a tall ancient tower in the city center or the ruins of an ancient church surrounded by vast green meadows. The city atmosphere of Castle is so fairytale that you may really feel like the time has stopped or you are in the medieval. The small historic sites, the main streets with their shops, eateries and the buildings with their colourufl architectures, the green natural corners - everything in Cashel creates a picture perfect combination of a tranquil and serene atmosphere. The true green colours in the summer are complemented by a warm sunshine, but also the crisp winters and cozy autumns make Cashel one of the Ireland`s best places for history trips all around the year. Undoubtedly, the green fresh atmosphere in the summer is irresistible.



Yet a majestic location of Cashel Castle is  that really makes it the greatest landmark in this part of Ireland. It is perched high on top  of a plateau with green meadows, while the height of the castle is over a dozen meters above the ground. The Rock of Cashel covers a quite huge area at the tip of the plateau, thanks to a number of ancient constructions, towers and a chapel. It offers   a breathtaking highlight on the skyline of Cashel, which is located just at the base of the plateau. You can spot the majestic ruins of Cashel Castle even from the other side of the city, while a close proximity of just a short walking  distance can seduce you to escape to the castle several times in a day, and so discover more vistas, new perspectives, viewpoints and historical inspirations. It is visible from almost everywhere in the city, while the way to get to the castle is a real historical adventure. It is a huge enclosed castle complex with long walls that stretch almost throughout the entire highest portion of the hill. When you enter through the gate, you may feel like you enter in another era or back in the past. It comes to a truly bygone era, because the castle was built in the mid-medieval. Presently, the remains of the castle date back to 12th century and they yet deliver a unique overlook of the vision of the ancient Celtic civilizations. A short impromptu hike to the plateau in the summer will also include lots of fresh green colours and awesome panoramic views, which respectively become more impressive when the height increases. The green sights include tall trees and the gorgeous flat meadows that top the plateau. The trails may look like huge corridors in an open-air historical museum, while the numerous white rocks within the green bushes depict a unique sense of a natural freshness.



When you get closer to the castle, you can explore all its mystical constructions and the legacies that are depicted on every stone. A tall round tower is the best-preserved construction within the castle complex. It stretches nearly 30 meters above the ground and it has a well-distinctive pointed roof. Only a couple of dark windows dot the round tower, while the door itself is another interesting sight to explore, because it is located a bit higher than the ground level. This is the tallest constriction, while the Cormac`s Chapel is another fabulous landmark in the complex. The old sandstone constructions and ruins of the chapel originate from 12th century, while inside the castle complex you will reveal the true historical charm from that bygone era. A series of giant arched gates, windows and other ancient details surround the corridors, while most of the areas are open to the sky.



The game of lights is captivating, while just outside the castle you can come across another huge group of historical landmarks.   It comes to the dozens of graveyards with giant crosses perched high above the green  lawns, and so they are a showcase of an unsurpassed mystical, fairytale and a bit scary atmosphere. Thanks to the enormous size of Cashel Castle and its numerous constructions - you can also take full advantage of striking vistas of the castle from the different angles. It`s bathed by the warm golden glow of the sunshine from the one side, while the other side drops awesome dark shadows over the lawns. If you travel with your kids - they will really be impressed  to explore the contrasting historical charm of Cashel Castle. After your trip for a couple of hours or maybe for a full day - enjoy some laid-back pastimes around the lawns or the nearby slopes of the hills. They are best for a natural inspiration, especially at sunrise or sunset. The nearby green areas north of the castle are also perfect spots for numerous outdoor adventures, especially on a clear summer day.



Enjoy the azure blue sky, the formless white clouds and the majestic ancient silhouette of Cashel Castle. Hiking through the trails or picnicking on a remote isolated lawn - there is always a perfect fit to enjoy the green scenery and the captivating historical charm of the castle. Photographing is another fabulous pastime, especially after your historical inspiration in one of the best-preserved medieval Celtic castles in Ireland. Taking photos at sunset is a breathtaking adventure, because an even brighter golden glow sprinkles the ancient stone constructions of the castle and the atmosphere becomes truly fairytale. Taking photos from the top of the plateau can seduce you to capture plenty of other mesmerizing historical sights, for example, the distant ruins of a church and the historic cityscapes of Cashel city, and so memorialize the atmosphere from your historical adventure.


          Explore the beautiful historical landmarks in the small picturesque village of Cashel and you will find out that the size doesn`t matter. Despite a small size of Cashel, a gigantic 12th century medieval castle towers the northern outskirts of the city, as well as dramatically perches over a scenic green plateau even until 21st century. It`s a masterpiece of Celtic architectural design, as well as iconic historical landmark that should always be high on your trip list while traveling in this part of Ireland. The adjacent village of Cashel offers all your comforts and amenities to stay, and so make your history and culture trips even more exciting. Actually, the sunrises and the sunsets provide the most beautiful vistas and they are definitely worth the trip.

Offline MysteRy

~ Learn About The History Of Empire State Building, Manhattan ~
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2014, 10:50:40 AM »
Learn About The History Of Empire State Building, Manhattan

Gorgeously standing high over the other skyscrapers and high-rises in Mid-Manhattan, the Empire State Building is definitely one of the most notable and famous skyscrapers in all over the world. It is a symbol of the U.S. state of New York and it is one of the most irresistible landmarks to visit during your vacation in New York City. This gigantic tower is also a unique historical landmark, which offers a captivating highlight on the yet modern skyline of the island. So, learn about the history of Empire State Building, Manhattan, New York, enjoy your history and culture trips to this fabulous city, and make your experience full of contrasting experiences.



Scenically located right in the heart of mid-Manhattan, the Empire State Building rises high over the vibrant skyline of the island with a majestic Art Deco construction. Moreover, the 102 floors are topped by a giant pointed tower, which looks like a beautiful beacon and so you can easily find the right direction for your next stop - the conjunction of Fifth Ave and W 34th St. The accessibility depends on your imagination and free time, of course, because the island of Manhattan is the most bustling and dynamic borough of the town. The traffic jam is one of the most quintessential issues if you travel by a car, taxi, etc. So, another great idea is to enjoy a bike trip, as well as reveal the true urban atmosphere of one of the greatest cities in all over the world. The sounds of the cars, the always coming and going people, the illuminations of the sunlight by the glossy facades of the skyscrapers, the scenic green corners, the numerous traffic lights and the complex road signs... all these fabulous features help you to dive yourself in the atmosphere of Manhattan, especially during a bike trip and in the summer. A warm air temperature is accompanied by a caressing sunshine, while the numerous scenic parks showcase their true green colours. The bustling, noisy and dynamic urban atmosphere can make you may think that Manhattan looks like a picture come to life, but as soon as you get nearby Empire State Building you will also be surrounded by the numerous vistas of other giant skyscrapers that dominated the heights of the island`s central portion, while Empire State Building is the tallest one. With its 1,454 ft. above the ground and a gorgeous Art Deco architectural design - this tower is definitely the most impressive sight to witness in this part of Manhattan. If you need to begin your history and culture trips as soon as possible - then, the metro is the fastest way for a transportation, as there is a number of stations in a close proximity to the building. Or, a trip by a bus or taxi maybe is another tempting way to get to this beautiful masterpiece of architecture and history.



The best way to learn more about the tower and explore all its gorgeous architectural details, shapes and textures, is through a visit. The options for visiting are numerous and they include a ticket pass for the Main Deck at 86th floor or the Top Deck at 102nd floor, or both. The decks are open almost throughout the day and so you can take full advantage of numerous flawless vistas from the top of New York City. The highest observation deck of Empire State Building is the highest one in the city, which also makes Empire State Building one of the most  famous office edifices in all over the world. The fast elevators take you to another world, where the bird-eye perspectives will take your breath as well. The nighttime atmosphere offers a perfect fit to explore the most colourful historic charm of the building, thanks to the countless lights of the city and the majestic silhouettes of the surrounding skyscrapers. A visit to the highest observation deck at night is one of the most tempting attractions to enjoy, while right after your bird-eye exploration experience - another great idea is to enjoy the night skyline of Manhattan from some distance. From the opposite bank of East River or from the opposite bank of Hudson River in New Jersey, for example, the panoramic vistas are worth the trip. The banks of the rivers are dotted by a variety of green parks, promenades and panoramic walkways, from where the vistas will seduce you to take a photo after a photo, especially right after the sunset. Then, the countless night lights of the skyscrapers bath the yet golden atmosphere with an unsurpassed concoction of glows, while the vibrant waters of the rivers become giant mirrors. And high above all the skyscrapers and high-rises of mid-Manhattan rises the well-distinctive silhouette of Empire State Building, illuminated by its beautiful night lights. This iconic building is also famous for its tip, which is often lit in different themed-combinations of colours, according to special performances or other events.



When you look at the tip of Empire State Building you also look at an impressive historical legacy, because the tip of this building features a multitude of historical highlights. When it was built in 1931 it was designed as a tower with a landing platform for dirigibles. The tip of the tower - the 102nd floor was designed flat to accommodate these gigantic aircrafts, but due to the strong winds and the lack of space - the top of the tower were continued with a giant antenna spire. All the other gorgeous architectural features you can reveal when you get closer to the Empire State Building, for example, nearby the base of the building. When you look up at the top of the tower you can easily get a clear vision about the dimensions and scale of the building, as well as see its well-distinctive facades with a series of descending steps. The giant windows are complemented by light brown nuances of the exterior`s limestone panels, while the highest portion of the tower looks like it stretches to the infinity high above the clouds. The highest portion represents the greatest Art Deco architecture of the building and so you can enjoy it from a quite far distance, for example, from a corner of the nearby street. A unique contrasting accent with the blue sky and its countless white formless clouds delivers a unique sense of freedom and majesty, while you may really need lots of memory for your camera. Then, try to remember the numbers - the rooftop rises to 1,250 ft. above the ground, while the tip of the antenna to 1,454 ft. - and your experience will be full of imaginary impressions.



Empire State Building is one of the most beautiful and remarkable landmarks on the skyline of Manhattan, and another interesting fact about this building is that it was completed only for less than a couple of  years - from 1929 to 1931. Nowadays, this building is a beautiful historical landmark, but yet it is a symbol of the modern architectural achievements and visions. Most of the interiors feature offices and so Empire State Building is the most famous office building in America and perhaps in all over the world. The two observation decks also make it one of the most visited landmarks in the city, while the gorgeous silhouette of the tower provides a truly inspiring accent to the skyline of the city which still keeps lots of historical highlights. 



The vistas from the observation decks of Empire State Building offer awesome opts to spot New York City from a bird eye view, or maybe you might be seduced to spot the well-distinctive silhouette of Empire State Building from the observation deck of another giant skyscraper. The different seasons provide plenty of tempting settings to enjoy more inspiring and beautiful panoramic vistas, for example - when it rains, when the sky is embraced by purple clouds at sunrise, etc. If you fall in love with the gorgeous historical silhouette of the tower - all around the city are hidden numerous appealing places to enjoy spectacular panoramic vistas and these places are also historic. Manhattan Bridge and the bank of Hudson River in New Jersey are only a couple of irresistible choices.


           New York City is one of the most fabulous megacities in all over the world, while Empire State Building is a symbol of this megacity and America. The Empire State Building enjoys a fabulous historical legacy from the beginning of 20th century, while nowadays it is still one of the tallest and most famous buildings on the skyline of Manhattan. The Empire State Building offers plenty of spectacular panoramic vistas from almost everywhere around the island, while if you explore the building from inside you can make your history and culture trips full of interesting facts, experiences and knowledge. Enjoy your trips, enjoy the beautiful vistas all around the year, and learn about the history of Empire State Building, Manhattan, New York.

Offline MysteRy

~ An Amazing Learning Experience To Japanese Kumamoto Castle ~
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2014, 10:54:22 AM »
An Amazing Learning Experience To Japanese Kumamoto Castle

   Kumamoto is situated in the center of Kyushu, an island in southern Japan. Kumamoto has everything; natural, stunning scenery, history, many landmarks and much more. Therefore, there are endless reasons why tourists should come and visit Kumamoto. Kumamoto City is a sight in itself and you will be able to spend days exploring its sights and admiring its stunning beauty. There is so much to discover here and you are guaranteed to enjoy every moment of your vacation here. It is certainly a picturesque place. It boasts a number of unique, interesting attractions, so you will have plenty to explore. This city has a total population of 730,000 and is mainly known for its famous castle, and for its lake. It is fairly easy to get around the city. You can walk, bike, take a taxi, drive or take a bus. The transport system is quite good here so you should have no issues getting around the city. Kumamoto is such a stunning city filled with superb sights. If you are looking for a unique vacation, here is the ideal destination for you. It offers so much to tourists and you will love every moment of your holiday here. You can walk miles and spend days exploring its beauty and endless array of attractions. You will learn plenty from visiting this city. The main attraction that draws tourists in is the city's famous castle, the Kumamoto Castle.



The Kumamoto Castle is what mainly draws so many visitors into the city. And it is not at all surprising. If you are fortune enough to be able to see the castle for yourself, you will understand its popularity. This castle is beautiful indeed and so stunning. It is actually known to be the most beautiful castle in the whole of Japan and is also known to be the third largest castle. This hilltop Japanese castle is a wonderful sight, so do all you can to see it for yourself. The real, original Kumamoto Castle was actually burned down in about 1877 during the Satsuma Rebellion. The concrete construction you see today was built sometime in the sixties. However, do not let this put you off. There are still some parts that are original and also, it is still a major attraction which is so beautiful. Several of its original wooden buildings remain here so you can still see some of the real original castle. If you would like to enter the castle, an adults ticket costs about 500 yen. If you are wondering what type of year to come to see the castle, the best season is the cherry blossom season. During this season, the grounds of the castle are full of many beautiful blossoms. The sight of all the blossoms is stunning, to say the least. There are about 800 cherry trees here.



The castle was constructed in the 1600s and it took almost seven years until the whole of it was fully built and completed. Inside this wonderful building, you will find a modern museum that displays much of the castle's profound history. In the museum you will be able to see a range of artifacts such as Japanese swords, palanquins and samurai armor. You will also be able to learn detailed information about the castle itself and the amazing history that lies behind. You will be fascinated by its remarkable history. The scenery around the castle is absolutely breathtaking. You will definitely feel the urge to take endless pictures for there is much to capture here. The stunning sights are in abundance here in Kumamoto. The best features of this castle are, without a doubt, its defensive features such as its wooden overhangs, designed to protect against the ninja, and also its curved stone walls. An underground passage which leads to the Hosokawa mansion remains here at the castle. This is open to visitors, so you must check it out. It's really interesting. It will be a lot of fun touring around the castle.



There are two towers in this castle. First of all, there is a main tower with six stories and then there is also a small tower, and this one has four stories. If you visit the top floor of the main tower, you will be able to see some amazing, stunning views which look across the castle grounds and the city of Kumamoto and its surroundings. Another attraction sight in this castle is the reconstruction of the building, Honmaru Goten Palace. This was actually made to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Kumamoto Castle. This opened to the public in 2008. Here in the castle, there are some amazing moats and stone walls for you to admire when you are here. They will certainly impress you. There are also may storehouses and turrets which are beautiful sights. Many of these you can even enter. One of the very few structures that survived the burning down of the castle in 1877, was the Uto turret. This building dates back to the original initial construction of the castle so this is definitely worth seeing. You will definitely love touring around this historical castle. You will learn so much and at the same time, enjoy the fascinating history of the great and wonderful Kumamoto Castle.



The Kumamoto Castle was built by a man named Kato Kiyomasa. At the time, he was known to be one of the greatest castle constructers, a master to many. You can help but stare in awe at this stunning castle. The design and everything about it is quite incredible. Despite the fact that this castle  has been reconstructed, some of its original structures remain and it still holds a great deal of history. In addition to this, it is a beautiful building. Thanks to the museum  that this castle houses, you can learn all you would like to know about the castle itself, and the long, yet fascinating history of the Kumamoto Castle. You do not have to be a great lover of history to find it interesting. The castle itself is so fantastic and you will definitely need to make sure you bring a camera with you so that you can take lots of wonderful pictures of the castle, its surroundings and, of course, how can you forget, the city of Kumamoto itself. What makes coming to this castle so great is that visitors can enter so much of the castle - even the secret underground tunnel here that leads to the mansion. So you won't miss out on much when you explore this castle.



Of course, despite the castle being its major attraction to tourists, there is plenty more for you to see whilst you are visiting the city of Kumamoto. Among them is the well-known Lake Ezu and Suizenji Gardens. This traditional garden is another popular attraction. It is known to be one of the best four Japanese Gardens in the country. Walk around the beautiful garden and you will see trails of beautiful trees and lots of lovely little hills. Food stalls are scattered around the garden too, if you fancy a quick bite to eat. Another attraction here is the Honmyo-ji Temple, the most famous temple in Kumamoto. It was actually built in honor of the builder of the Kumamoto Castle, Kato Kiyomasa. The temple is just beautiful. Other places to see here in Kumamoto include the following: Kumamoto City Hall, Mt. Kimpo, Hosokawa Gyobutei, Shiki no sato Park and Hanoakayama. All of these are well worth seeing and indeed stunning, like most things in Kumamoto. You can't deny that this city is full of breathtaking sights. It really has much to offer to tourists coming over here for a vacation or a sightseeing holiday. There are many sights here that you will find very interesting and make sure you have your camera at hand at all times.


            Are you eager for a trip away where you can experience the Japanese culture? Well, there is no better place than Kumamoto to see true beauty, culture and history. Kumamoto is a fascinating city full of wonderful, lovely sights. The Japanese Kumamoto Castle is, without a doubt, the most famous of them all and is indeed the popular attraction amongst tourists. However, there is much more to this city than just the castle, even though this is a fantastic sight. The scenery in this city is quite honestly, gorgeous and breathtaking. You really won't believe just how beautiful it is until you actually see it for yourself. Japan boasts some lovely cities but this is indeed one of the greatest in terms of its appearance and history and culture. You can fully understand why many tourists are ever so attracted to this city and do all they can to come and visit it. You can walk around this city, see the sights, and enjoy the beautiful weather. This will be a dream vacation. Come to Kumamoto and see real beauty.

Offline MysteRy

~ Explore The Magic Of Cathedral Of Lima, Peru ~
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2014, 10:58:09 AM »
Explore The Magic Of Cathedral Of Lima, Peru

Right in the middle of the Peruvian coast stretches one of the most irresistible destinations for history and culture trips in all over the country. It is also one of the greatest ones, because it is just the greatest city in all over Peru. It is the huge capital city of Lima, which enjoys a breathtaking natural scenery of mountains from the one side and the endless ocean horizon from the other side, as well as city full of historical landmarks, sites, museums and cultural monuments. A trip to Lima can easily be changed into an unforgettable trip with lots of striking sights and experiences to enjoy, and one of the hottest adventures to enjoy is to explore the magic of Cathedral of Lima, Peru. It is one of the most beautiful and largest cathedrals in Downtown Lima, as well as fronted by a scenic historical park with lots of cultural monuments and natural settings. That`s why a trip around the Cathedral of Lima helps you to discover a unique collection of the most beautiful sides of this gigantic yet modern bustling town.



Actually, the ocean coast is one of the greatest attractions in Lima to enjoy as soon as you get to this city. It is dotted by interesting historical sites, steep rugged coasts, harbours, marinas, parks, beaches and a vast array of other tempting places to stop by. When you head to the Cathedral of Lima - you might feel that you enter in a completely different city. This majestic cathedral is situated nearly a dozen kilometers east of the harbour of Lima, as well as just next to the valley of the River Rimac and the footsteps of a huge mountains. This remote location of the cathedral helps you to escape from the overcrowded bustling streets in the very Downtown area, as well as dive yourself in an unparalleled historical adventure that you will never forget. Lima is full of historical and cultural sights to visit, but the cathedral is something really special. It depicts a unique historical legacy from 16th century, while a unique architectural style makes it a masterpiece icon of all the historical architectures and other historical buildings in Lima. Further, Cathedral of Lima is fronted by a huge scenic park - Plaza Mayor, which covers almost the same area as the adjacent cathedral. A full-day might be a great idea for a complete tour of the cathedral and the square, while another great idea is to have a solid memory card for your camera. Just the panoramic vistas of the cathedral will seduce you to take a photo after a photo, while the flawless panoramic vistas from the middle of the square include a variety of iconic historical buildings and architectural masterpieces. Plaza Mayor is not just one of the many squares in Lima. It showcases the legacy of Lima since its foundation in 16th century and so together with the cathedral, they are situated right in the heart of the historic center of Lima. Nowadays, only a short trip around the area is enough to reveal this historical charm, while the giant two towers of the cathedral stretch high over the horizon like magical beacons of history. And so you can always find the right direction to one of the city`s most famous and magical landmarks.



When you first get to Plaza Mayor you will be seduced to enjoy the captivating romantic atmosphere around the square. The panoramic vistas of the cathedral are also spectacular and they are some of the most beautiful highlights to enjoy while strolling around the square. If you enjoy your history and culture trips in the summer days - you can also take full advantage of a wonderful natural refreshment, thanks to the numerous vistas of the tall green palm trees and lush scenic gardens. The freshest ones are complemented by a tall fountain right in the heart of the square and its sparkling water. That`s why a trip in Plaza Mayor is a good choice for leisure and relaxation, especially in the hot summer days with an air temperature of often over 25 degrees Celsius. The colours in the summer are mostly green and vivid, especially when you keep in mind the green scenery around the square. There are numerous palm trees that are aligned in straight concentric lines and they merge in a huge area with a scenic fountain, right in the middle of the square. The waters of the fountain create a truly appealing foreground to take a photo of the cathedral, while plenty of other historical buildings and landmarks around the periphery of the square provide another huge collection of historical backgrounds. On the skyline of the square you can spot the Government Palace, the Municipal Palace, the Palace of the Union, the Archbishop`s Palace of Lima and, of course - the iconic Cathedral of Lima. However, the captivating sounds of the square are that really makes you trip refined and absolutely relaxing. The colourful flowers in the garden landscapes within the palm trees create a captivating atmosphere to find a cozy panoramic bench and sit back for a while. Take a break for a few minutes and don`t forget to take numerous panoramic photos of the cathedral, especially at sunset. The long distance from the square offers a perfect fit to capture the cathedral`s silhouette in its full glory and majesty, while the golden and purple nuances of the sunset are quite magical too.



Continue your tour around the cathedral and explore all its lush details from a close proximity. Therefore you can reveal plentiful variety of statues and large details, while a colonial architecture from around 16th century makes the cathedral one of the well-distinctive landmarks within the entire historic city center of Lima. The complex columns, terraces, vaults and pinnacles dot every corner of the facades of the cathedral, while the two giant towers at the main facade that overlook the square are really breathtaking. They are a real bliss for the eyes, especially when they are bathed by the warm sunset`s golden glow. Then, the numerous patterns of the tiles and bricks become highlighted by lots of dark shadows and contrasting edges, and the statues too. The arched windows of the both towers are complemented by a number of other smaller rounded windows, while a slightly darker nuances of the rooftops of the towers create a romantically contrasting accent to the yet pale colours of the facades. And you are somewhere around the walls of cathedral, feeling like a tourist in a huge historical museum, staring at its most beautiful exhibits and pampering your soul with an absolute historical inspiration. And that`s only around the museum.



For an even more enhancing historical experience - visit the cathedral from inside. Thus you can really feel like you strolling around a huge mystical museum. The  spiritual atmosphere is created by a unique collection of numerous decorations with contrasting colours, paintings, the nave with complex mosaic floors and altars, while the spacious vaults deliver a unique sense of freedom. Not to mention the captivating   game of lights that is created by the numerous windows with  their numerous shapes, as well the sound acoustics in the huge open areas that alter the atmosphere with lots of mystical and magical nuances.



When you get outside the cathedral it should be quite possible that the day is transformed into a night and the sunset is completely replaced by the bright white orb of the moon. Especially at Full Moon, you can take full advantage of another mystical and magical collection of historical shadows, nuances, shapes, textures... The statues and lush details at the facades of the cathedral are bathed by their nightlights, while the vistas of the moon invite a unique feel of a fairytale. The air temperature also drops with a few degrees to create the most inspiring and invigorating natural feel around the footsteps of the mountains, while exactly the nearby tall mountain peaks change into magical impressive silhouettes on the moon light. The captivating sounds of the night will overwhelm all your senses, thanks to the always coming and going cars, people... Enjoy another walk trip around Plaza Mayor, reveal the true magical side of Cathedral of Lima with this night lights, soft and dark shadows, and your refined trip will really change into an unforgettable magical adventure.


            You may need quite long history and culture trips to discover all the beautiful sites in the Peru`s largest and capital city, but make sure to spend at least a full-day around the iconic Cathedral of Lima. It embodies a gorgeous concoction of colours, shapes and architectural details, while the green scenery of Plaza Mayor and all the historical surrounding buildings create another spectacular highlight for an unforgettable experience. Explore the magic of Cathedral of Lima, Peru, and dive yourself in the charm of one of the most beautiful historical landmarks in all over the city!

Offline MysteRy

~ Explore The Legendary Hamburg, Germany ~
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2014, 02:03:31 PM »
Explore The Legendary Hamburg, Germany

  Hamburg is one of the greatest cities in northern Germany and its historical legacy is so amazing that even a full vacation will be something like a magical introduction into the charming historical atmosphere of Hamburg. From one of the world`s largest harbours, to a unique combination of architectural designs and cultural landmarks - Hamburg is an endless paradise for history and culture trips. The list with the most tempting sights to visit is so long that you may need a quite long vacation, while perhaps one of the most quintessential places to explore the legendary Hamburg, Germany, is situated right on the way.



This is the small historic village of Leuneburg, which is situated at only about 50 kilometers southeast of Hamburg. It is a truly beautiful suburb that is quite calm and tranquil, and it is always a perfect place to stop by during your arrival in Hamburg. If you travel by land - a series of roadways pass right through the downtown of Leuneburg and they connect the two cities with scenic roadways settings. Plus, in Leuneburg you can find a couple of calm waterways and rivers, which are smaller than the River Elbe, but yet they offer a captivating natural highlight to the numerous historical houses and picturesque streets of this small city. Leuneburg is famous with its unique architectural masterpieces, because it is one of the few German cities which buildings survived well-preserved during the WWII. Leuneburg is also a truly green city and it is dotted by recreation parks, green corners and other scenic areas. Even the historic center of the city is surrounded by beautiful green trees and tranquil corners with historic cafeterias, bars, restaurants, etc. Enjoy a refreshing morning coffee in a historic outdoors cafeteria, then continue with a trip for a couple of hours or maybe for a full-day within the historic cityscapes of Leuneburg. The waterfront area is quite appealing, yet it offers a unique mix of historical architectures with numerous designs and colours, flower gardens and other beautiful cityscapes, as well as lots of calm blue waters with historic boats. While strolling around the city center you can come across a couple of churches - the church of St. Nicholas and the church of St. John, which both are impressive sights to witness. They are situated in a close proximity from each other, while their huge towers stretch over the skyline of Leuneburg as beautiful beacons of history and majesty. You may need another full hour or maybe a couple of hours to enjoy the green scenery along the banks of the rivers that cross through the eastern side of the city center. The tranquil blue waters of the rivers are fronted by historic piers and traditional riverfront cafeterias with an unmatched historical charm. Enjoy another cup of refreshing coffee, perhaps for the afternoon, and dive completely yourself in the captivating serene atmosphere of Leuneburg. Cross through a bridge and explore a little bit of the atmosphere from the opposite, eastern, bank of the river. Take some beautiful panoramic photos of the historic city skyline, refresh all your senses within the lush green colours and sparkling waters of the river, and you will be prepared for the real historical adventure in Hamburg.



Despite a short distance of some 50 kilometers between Leuneburg and  Hamburg, you might easily be seduced to stop for a while at some corners or places and just enjoy the scenery. Your drive can easily change into a unique illusion of a trip within the corridors of a huge natural museum, especially along the roads that are surrounded by scenic natural areas. When you enter in the giant megacity of Hamburg you may feel that you enter in a completely different world, yet Hamburg is one of the greatest cities in all over the country and it is a bustling modern city. It enjoys one of the largest harbours in all over Europe, thanks to a unique location nearby the estuary of the Elbe. This unique location enhanced the development of Hamburg since ancient times and so it features a thriving historical legacy. It is a colourful, noisy and contemporary town, but yet a captivating historical atmosphere of Hamburg can be felt in the air. Especially if you plan to continue your trip with a walk around the streets of Wasserschloss. It is one of the oldest portions of the harbour and it stretches right in the very heart of the city. The scenic, huge and spacious water channels are dominated by a series of old buildings with remarkable historical reddish constructions, as well as variety of old scenic bridges and only a few green trees for a refreshing natural accent. During the warm summer days these trees are green and they enhance the entire natural atmosphere, while the yet reddish facades of the historic houses magically absorb the warm sunlight with a captivating factor. While strolling from bridge to bridge you will be captivated by the historic beauty of the huge houses in Wasserschloss, which feature numerous small balconies and huge windows with contrasting colours. Moreover, if you enjoy your history trips in the summer a great idea is to continue your exploration journey with a boat trip. This is another magical way to enjoy the historical atmosphere and unique natural scenery of Hamburg, but from a bit different and quite fairytale perspective.



Hamburg is full of scenic marinas and harbours, yet it is one of the Europe`s largest ports. Therefore, the places from where to begin a scenic historic trip are just numerous, as well as the interesting landmarks to visit. Speicherstadt is a unique warehouse district also in the very heart of the city and is definitely a place that you can`t miss. While passing through the giant reddish houses with a gorgeous Neo-Gothic architectural design you will need only a blink of the eye to transport yourself and imagine the same vistas about a couple of centuries ago. A mystical combination of colours, silhouettes and huge sizes will overwhelm all your senses, and you might also be seduced to become a photographer. And Speicherstadt is only a major example of all the fabulous historic landmarks to visit during a boat trip. When you get back on the ground, another great idea is to continue your trip also within the streets of Speicherstadt, because they look pretty much the same as Wasserschloss. A unique atmosphere from 19th century is enhanced by the thought that Speicherstadt is one of the oldest warehouse districts in all over the world, while the colours of the sunset magically transform the entire historical atmosphere into a truly colourful fairytale, thanks to the vibrant surface of the water that also changes into a huge water mirror.



Then, continue your trip only a few streets or water channels to the north, depending on the point of view. There is situated the very center of the historic Downtown Hamburg, where stretches the giant Neo-Renaissance building of the City Hall, a.k.a. Hamburg Rathaus. Its giant over a hundred meters tall central tower stretches high over the skyline of the Downtown and so you can easily find the right direction to the building, while as soon as you get in front the majestic  historical facades of this unique building you will also reveal a quite huge and spacious historic square. The vistas of the City Hall will be full of lush ornaments from the end of  19th century, as well as soft pastel colours, large windows and lots of other details. The square itself is also dotted by a huge market with souvenir shops, other stores, green trees and panoramic benches, while the panoramic vistas of the surrounding buildings will show you the true historical charm of Hamburg. Another famous landmark to visit within the area is situated only a couple of streets distance from the Town Hall.



It comes to a gigantic Gothic-Revival tower of St. Nicholas` Church, which lonely stretches over the skyline. It is a reminder of one of the Hamburg`s oldest churches, thanks to a fabulous historical background from the medieval. Take a few photos from the nearby bridge or along the opposite side of the water channel and continue your trip with another short walk trip to the west. There stretches the huge tower of another church - St. Michael`s Church. Enjoy its scenic Baroque details from 17th century, take another portion of stunning panoramic photos, and you will make your history trips in Hamburg unforgettable.


           A camera with a solid memory card is one of the most quintessential gadgets to bring with your bags, especially if you plan a series of history and culture trips to the ancient cities nearby Hamburg. Leuneburg, for example, is a truly irresistible place to visit from the very beginning of your trip, as well as perfect choice to dive completely yourself in the charming historical atmosphere of northern Germany. Then, add the stunning natural beauty of the River Elbe, the gorgeous green recreation parks during the warm summer days and the lush historic architectures, and you will get a picture perfect recipe to explore the legendary Hamburg, Germany.

Offline MysteRy

~ Explore The Historic Attractions In Madrid, Spain ~
« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2014, 02:08:23 PM »
Explore The Historic Attractions In Madrid, Spain

 Madrid is one of the top-end destinations for history and culture trips in all over Europe, yet is the capital of Spain and it boasts an unparalleled cultural legacy. It is the main center of culture, fashion and lifestyle in all over the country, as well as features such a wide array of iconic landmarks to visit that you may need a quite long vacation to enjoy all of them. In the summer or in the winter, there is no need to struggle - with a vacation in Madrid you will get a perfect combination of scenery and history that can make your experience unforgettable. Each season has its own unique natural advantages and colourful charms, but the historic charm of Madrid is eternal. Explore the historic attractions in Madrid, Spain, reveal one of the most beautiful capitals in all over Europe, and make your journey fabulous. Check out the following hints.



Right in the heart of Madrid stretches an iconic Plaza de Cibeles, which is actually one of the most remarkable and beautiful squares in all over the city. The square is named after one of the most impressive historical buildings around the area - Cibeles Palace. That`s why while strolling around one of the most central and bustling squares in Madrid you can enjoy a wonderful historical experience at once. Cibeles Palace is a giant historical building with a series of parallel windows, a couple of storeys and two huge towers. In the middle of the main facade that overlooks the square also stretches the highest and main tower of the palace. It is a really inspiring sight to witness, especially when you keep in mind the overall white silhouette of the entire palace. The historical nuance is enhanced by everything around, because just a simple look around is enough to spot all the other historical constructions that embrace the square. Palace of Linares is the next impressive architectural attraction that is full of white colours, lush decorations, complex details, figures... just about everything. Maybe only the water is missing, but when you look again around the square you may spot the sparkling Cibeles Fountain, because it is huge. It rises right in the middle of the roundabout, as well as stretches up in the air with its gorgeous historical construction from the end of 18th century. The fountain depicts the Roman goddess Cybele riding a chariot with a couple of majestic lions, while the entire silhouette of the fountain absolutely matches the white marble silhouettes of the surrounding buildings. Palacio de Buenavista is another fabulous palace within the area, as well as the iconic building of the Bank of Spain. They both create an inspiring mix of silhouettes and white forms over the yet blue sky of Downtown Madrid, as well as finish the entire historical atmosphere with a quite inspiring charm. The best thing is that everything is magically enhanced at sunset - when the sun`s rays still bath the entire atmosphere with a golden and purple glow, as well as scenic nightlights of the fountain and all the historic buildings highlight the inspiring mix of ancient silhouettes and white forms over the yet blue sky of Downtown Madrid.



In the next morning, try to wake up with a cup of refreshing coffee in one of the many outdoor sitting cafeterias along the historic streets of the Downtown. Enjoy the coming and going people, enjoy the first warm rays  of the sunrise and actually see how Madrid wakes up. It would be pretty impressive to imagine the same streets, buildings, squares and vistas a couple of centuries ago, but as soon as you get to Cathedral Almudena you can take full advantage of the best imaginary historic vistas. The cathedral was built in 19th century but it yet enjoys an even longer historical legacy even from the mid-medieval period. Cathedral Almudena also offers an unsurpassed collection of architectural styles, which include plenty of Neoclassical, Neo-Gothic and Neo-Romanesque elements. Its pale facades are dominated by a couple of tall towers on the main facade and a huge central tower with a dome right in the heart of the cathedral. The darker rooftops and domes create a fabulous contrasting accent to the facades and the lush architectural ornaments, while a giant spacious square right in front the cathedral offers countless of breathtaking spots for taking photos. And that`s only from around the cathedral. When you enjoy its scenic historical exterior, a great idea is to visit it from inside, for at least a few minutes. A number of statues and other artworks will impress all your mind, senses and imagination with lots of modernist visions and styles.



The bullfighting arena a.k.a. Las Ventas is another irresistible place to include in your trip list, yet it is one of the most famous historical buildings in Madrid and it is a symbolic architectural masterpiece of perhaps the most iconic sport in Spain - the bullfighting. If you are a fan of this yet extreme and dangerous sport - a great idea is to visit Madrid during the long summer season. Then is held the famous San Isidro Fiesta, which includes bullfights every day. Or, if you plan your vacation during the early spring or late autumn, for example, you can take full advantage of a wonderful historic experience through a trip around the exterior of the bullring. It was built in the last century and its well-distinctive Moorish architecture features plenty of reddish details, such as giant arches, columns and others. The white contrasting details make also no exception of the exterior of the bullring and so you may need at least a couple of hours to enjoy a full tour around this iconic landmark.



The Royal Palace of Madrid is the next irresistible temptation to visit or at least stop by during your trip. This enormous palace stretches right at the opposite side of Cathedral Almudena and its square, while another quite larger and huge inner  courtyard in front the palace offers a wonderful illusion that you walk around a completely isolated square. Indeed, it is a courtyard and it is surrounded by numerous buildings of the palace complex, as well as covered by a gorgeous pattern with dark squares, rectangles and other parallel shapes. Thanks to an enormous scale of the courtyard, it offers flawless panoramic vistas of the Royal Palace, which is full of Baroque and Classic architectural designs. It was built as a residence of the Royal family in around the mid-18th century and even nowadays it still keeps its own original outlook, charm and historical treasures. On a clear blue sky you can enjoy a fairytale contrasting atmosphere between the colours of the sky and the white nuances of the palace` silhouette. Its numerous details, a massive central sculpture, numerous windows and tall columns are spectacular sights to witness, especially when they are bathed by the warm bright sunshine. Take a few pictures, enjoy the historic atmosphere around the square and if you feel a bit overwhelmed by your trip through the centuries - a tempting idea is to enjoy a relaxing walk just around the palace. It is surrounded by parks, gardens and other tranquil scenic corners.



And finally - visit Puerta de Alcala, which is one of the historic gates to the old city of Madrid. It is situated right next to the northwestern corner of the Madrid`s largest recreation park - Buen Retiro Park, as well as at only a short walking distance from Cibeles Square. Actually Puerta de Alcala is pretty much the same, because it is surrounded by another huge roundabout but a bit larger. It is also dominated by a massive white coloured monument - it is not a fountain, but a huge Neo-classical construction with three arched gates and a couple squared gates. Puerta de Alpcala is also bounded by a lush scenic flower garden, which colourful pattern delivers a unique sense of a natural freshness. As soon as you spot the gate and get right in front the monument, you will need only a couple of seconds to forget about the sounds and noises of the surrounding modern cars. Just the white colours, lush details, ornaments and clean shapes in the meantime, showcase a wonderful outlook from the end of 18th century.


           These five beautiful historical landmarks are only a few hints of that awaits you in Madrid. This gigantic city and its thriving metropolitan area are full of historical landmarks, old historic houses, scenic streets with historic restaurants, sparkling fountains, cultural monuments, green parks with countless historic statues and much more. Just take your free time to visit at least a few of them, and you will make your history and culture trips unforgettable. The only issue is that you may need a quite long vacation to visit all the famous historical and cultural landmarks in a city like Madrid. So, the places mentioned above can always help you to take a pick of the vast array of best options to explore the historic attractions in Madrid, Spain. Which would you start with?

Offline MysteRy

~ Educational Trip To Uchisar Castle, Turkey ~
« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2014, 02:12:44 PM »
Educational Trip To Uchisar Castle, Turkey

Transport yourself to the heart of Cappadocia and Turkey, where stretches the amazing Uchisar Castle. It is an ancient mountain castle that is perched high on top of the nearby cities and mountain valleys, as well as breathtaking place to explore with all your friends, family and loved ones. During tour history and culture trips to this amazing and unique ancient architectural masterpiece you can take full advantage of numerous outdoor adventures and magical experiences back in time. It comes to a trip somewhere in around 15th century, when the army of the Byzantine Empire used the caves and dwellings until the next century. Another interesting fact about this giant ancient mount is that it was inhabited until 19th century, and this is only a hint of what`s to come. In brief - enjoy this educational trip to Uchisar Castle, Turkey, enjoy the hints for a wonderful vacation and make your history adventure unforgettable!



Goreme is a scenic historic village in the heart of Cappadocia, while the village of Uchisar is situated right next to the castle with the same name. The best thing is that the both cities are located at only a couple of kilometers from each other and they are scenically surrounded by the rims of a couple of valleys with impressive historical backgrounds. It comes to Pigeon Valley and Rose Valley, which provide a permanent part of the historical attractions within the area, as well as tempting places to visit or at least take a few panoramic photos. The long summer days offer the best settings for that, thanks to a quite warmer air temperature and lots of sunshine, while the green colours of the valleys are just invigorating. There are also numerous bare cliffs that stretch over the cityscapes of Uchisar and Gerome, and right in one of these cliffs is situated the iconic Uchisar Castle. The panoramic vistas from a distance are breathtaking, because you can only witness a massive rugged mount soaring high over the historic cityscapes of Uchisar village. A multitude of dark shadows and dark wholes dot the slopes of the steep mountain, but they are actually the entrances of a complex system of cliff dwellings and ancient rooms that are carved out of the solid rock. Uchisar Castle is a wonderful sight to witness and because of its huge scale you may need the full-day for such a historical adventure. There is a scenic winding road that connects the both villages and so you can always enjoy an even shorter trip with a taxi or bus. The options for lodging are also numerous, especially when you keep in mind a close distance of only about 5 kilometers between the villages of Gerome and Uchisar. Plan your trip in advance, book a hotel or villa, and enjoy your wonderful free time in the most beautiful historical lands of Cappadocia. Indeed, Uchisar Castle is the Cappadocia's highest point and it is a truly breathtaking sight to witness even from a distance. A great idea is to begin your trip in the early morning of the summer, because the day is quite longer, while the warm rays of the sunrise bath the entire rocky atmosphere with a flawless golden glow. The village of Gerome is situated at the footsteps of the valley and so the panoramic vistas are quite limited, but the village of Uchisar is situated right at the footsteps of Uchisar Castle. To wake up in the morning with the first rays of the sunrise from the terrace of your room or while strolling around the historic streets of Uchisar is a wonderful choice to refresh your mind and imagination, and continue your historic adventure to the ancient castle.



The options to visit the castle are numerous. A hiking trip from Goreme or Uchisar, or maybe a guided trip if you travel in a group - there is always a perfect fit all around the year, not to mention that a trip via bus or taxi from Goreme is the fastest way to get to Uchisar. However, a hiking trip for about a couple of hours is usually a quite more tempting way for a transportation, because it would be a truly passionate and breathtaking trip at once. You can explore the awesome mountain scenery of the area, as well as abundant wildlife species and all the other historical landmarks. On the other hand, a guided trip is a better choice to learn all the interesting highlights in the legacy of Uchisar, but once you get in front Uchisar Castle you can forget all the vistas and experiences during your trip. It would be a truly magical sight to witness the dozens of cliff dwellings on the steep slopes of the mount, as well as dark stone windows that look like mystical holes in the solid rock.



Uchisar Castle stretches dozens of meters above the village of Uchisar and it depicts one of the oldest defensive structures and living rooms of the Byzantine army. They inhabited the cave systems from around 15th-16th century, while there are also evidences that the caves where inhabited since the mid-19th century. They include a wide variety of rooms and holes that are carved out of the solid rocks, and they are interconnected with a complex inner system of tunnels, passages, terraces and others. And they all are made out of the massive vertical rock. The pale colours of the cliff are beautiful and they are even highlighted with a white painting of the walls and the interiors of the rooms. Make sure to spend at least a full-day while strolling around the base of the mountain and explore the caves from all the sides of the mountain. There are caves and rooms that can be visited from inside and actually feel the mysterious charm of the ancient civilizations. When the sunshine is high on top of the skyline it enhances the entire glow of the mountain with a truly warm bright aura, and the entire historical atmosphere becomes quite fairytale.



According to the angle of the sun and the viewpoint - you can enjoy an even more magical concoction of historical vistas and mystical dark shadows. There are also a number of huge stone staircases that will seduce you to climb atop the castle and reveal perhaps the best viewpoint. It comes  to a flawless panoramic viewpoint of the huge spacious mountain scenery that stretches as far as the eye can see, especially in a clear summer day. The nearby cityscapes of the village of Uchisar are beautiful and so the different colours of the green meadows and valleys. You might easily be seduced to become a photographer and a thought that you are high on top of one of the Cappadocia's most famous historical landmarks is a pretty inspiring thought too. And so until the sunset, when the highest portion of Uchistar Castle becomes full of people celebrating the stunning golden glow of the sun's rays.



The atmosphere is truly fairytale, especially when you keep in mind that all the panoramic vistas are bathed in a warm golden glow. Keep also in mind that Uchistar Castle has numerous sides and slopes, each with its own unique panoramic vistas and unique historical treasures. The highest outcrops offer 360 degree panoramic views and maybe the eastern slope offers the most impressive ones. It comes to a giant Mount Erciyes volcano, which stretches to nearly 4,000 meters above sea level. It is quite distant - over 70 kilometers eastward from Uchistat Castle, but yet it is visible in a clear day thanks to its gigantic scale. Its dramatic giant slopes create a truly majestic silhouette over the vibrant blue horizon, as well as showcase you the same inspiring vistas like a couple of centuries ago. Make sure to have a solid memory card for your camera, take some breathtaking photos, and enjoy the eternity and historical legacy of Cappadocia.


           A great idea for the beginning of your educational trip to Uchisar Castle, Turkey, is to explore the scenic historical atmosphere in the nearby villages of Goreme and Uchisar. They both reveal an unsurpassed collection of interesting sights to visit during your history and culture trips, while the striking height of Uchisar Castle is always the best end of such an experience. Moreover, if you fall in love with the stunning surrounding mountain scenery you will need only a blink of the eye to feel a need to climb to the highest spot of Uchisar. And so your experience will end with the highest historical highlights of this giant historic mount. If you still wondering which is the best time for such an experience - a full-day in the summer of course. Then, the sunrise and the sunset provide the most beautiful warm colours respectively for the beginning and end of an exciting day in the history of Cappadocia, while the day itself continues quite longer.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2014, 02:22:05 PM by MysteRy »

Offline MysteRy

~ A Magic Castle You must See - Alcazar Of Segovia, Spain ~
« Reply #13 on: May 20, 2014, 02:15:53 PM »
A Magic Castle You must See - Alcazar Of Segovia, Spain

The Alcazar of Segovia is a stone fortress and is situated in the city of Segovia which is in Spain. This old city of Segovia boasts a lot of history and has some fine sights for you to see and admire and inspect. It offers a lot to tourists that come here. However, by far, the most notable feature of Segovia if of course the Alcazar Castle of Segovia. To many in Segovia, it is known as the magic castle. It certainly looks magical and is a terrific sight to see. So make sure that if you come to this historical city, you come and check out the famous castle. Your trip would not be complete without you seeing this historical building. Behind this amazing castle, there is a lot of history that you would find interesting. This castle was in fact built to be a fortress but in the end, due to circumstances of that time, it actually served as a royal palace, a prison, and since then has also served as a military academy and a Royal Artillery College. So over the years, it has served for a number of purposes. Therefore, it holds a great deal of history. The Cinderella Castle, in the Disney film Cinderella, was in fact inspired by this castle.



The inside of the castle is just as magnificent, if not more so, than the exterior of the castle. Despite its age, it is indeed a stunning castle with beautiful interiors. It is luxurious and well decorated. In 1862, the inside of the castle was badly damaged from a dreadful fire that emerged in that year. Therefore, most of the original interior has gone completely. But most of it, luckily, has been repaired and mostly restored. It is still beautiful and completely unique, despite the fire in 1862. In the whole of Spain, the Alcazar remains to be one of the most popular tourist attractions and a number of people on a regular basis come to see this marvelous building, with its rich history. The most notable rooms in the castle are the Hall of the Throne, Hall of Ajimeces, and finally the Hall of Kings. The Hall of Kings represents all the kings and queens through the years; and the Hall of Ajimeces houses a range of works of art. Each room houses something of major significance. All of them are interesting. All of them possess a great amount of history. Each room has a story and you can find out more about it from the guides.



To begin with, the Alcazar of Spain was an Arab Fort. Since then, it has served a  number of purposes. It has quite an interesting background. It does not even matter whether you are interested in history or not. This has such an interesting background and has so much historical significance to its name. It is no wonder that it is a major tourist attraction in the city of Segovia. However it is not just a tourist attraction to the locals of Segovia or to Spain even. Visitors come from all over the world to see this magnificent castle which is known to have inspired the castle in Disney's Cinderella. It really is a breathtakingly beautiful castle and until you see it for yourself, you would not be able to appreciate it fully. After the fire emerged which destroyed a lot of its interior, it was partly rebuilt and most of the inspiration at that time came from the romantic castles of Germany. That is why it looks like a castle from a fairytale. It is so beautiful and boasts such a great deal of history, you must come and visit it and see it with your own eyes. You'll never regret it.



This amazing castle stands on a rocky outcrop that overlooks the whole city. If you come to see the castle for yourself you can wander around the nine rooms that are all highly polished and decorated. One of the nine rooms is a chapel and another is an armoury. The best chamber in the entire castle is definitely the Sala De Las Pinas. Endless ornate golden shields hang from the ceiling of this chamber, all of them a similar shape to pine cones. It is a truly staggering sight. The carving of this beautiful castle was completed in 1452. Apart from that, the rest of the rooms are also indeed beautiful and each possesses its own individual beauty that is astounding. It's true that you will never see such a fantastic castle as the Alcazer of Segovia. This is truly one of a kind and you will never see another castle like it in Spain. The Spanish people are extremely proud of this castle and they have every right to be. It is so stunning and looks like a fairytale. The next time you watch Cinderella, check out the castle and you will see that it looks very similar to this castle. That is because it is known to have been inspired by the Alcazer Castle of Segovia.



Segovia is an old town in Spain. If you come here you must take some time to go and explore the Walled Old Town which can easily be accessed by foot. There are so many landmarks and great places to see and visit here in Segovia. It is a town very much rich in history and it is indeed easy to be drawn to this lovely town. Of course, the most notable feature and the most popular is the Alcazar Castle. It was built in the 11th century and its interior is of a range of styles of the roman era, gothic, and renaissance. The style of   the interior of this castle is very unusual but nevertheless beautiful. It costs about 4.50 Euro to enter the castle itself and about 2.50 Euro to climb the tower. You should give each a go because they are both interesting. There are many other places you can see when you are in this historical town such as the Aqueduct, which was built in the 1st century, so as you can see it is very historical and ancient. Other places to see include the following: the Cathedral, Casa De Los Picos, Museo de Segovia, Azoguejo Square, and the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso. So there is plenty to see and do whilst you are in Segovia. Most of the sights are of great historical significance, but then again, Segovia is a historical town.



There are lots of museums here too for you to explore. All of them are great and very interesting so you are bound to enjoy yourself if you visit any one of them. They are all interesting for different reasons. Some of the museums here include of the following: Museum of Segovia, Museum Zuloaga, Museum of Arms, Museum of Witchcraft, Jewish Center, Museum of the Cathedral and many others. Endless festivities take place here in Segovia too so if you are here whilst an event is on, why not take part in one of them? It is very cultural and you will see a glimpse of the culture of Spain and of Segovia if you get involved. San Lorenzo, San Frutos, and Virgin of the Fuencisla are just a few of the festivals that go on here. Segovia has been twinned to several other cities around the world including Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Tours, France; Marysville, United States; Tuczon Arizona, United States and Gangdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Segovia is a lovely city with some great views and some great landmarks. If you come here, you are guaranteed to see some spectacular views and you will also see a hint into the culture of Segovia. One of the best sights you can see is the Alcazer Castle.


            If you want to see a beautiful castle that looks like something out of a fairy tale, come to Segovia and see the stunning Alcazer Castle. By far, it is the nicest, most spectacular castles in the world. It has even been known to have been the inspiration for the Cinderella Castle in the Disney movie. The pictures of this castle might look amazing, but it's even more beautiful in real life. This is a stunning castle full of history and you can even look inside. You will be able to see several of the rooms which are all beautiful and each room has its own story. A guide can tell you all about the history of this staggering castle. Stood high above the ground, it does not look real at first sight. It is so spectacular and so magnificent, you won't believe your eyes. There is just something so mystifying about the Alcazer of Segovia.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2014, 02:23:06 PM by MysteRy »

Offline MysteRy

~ Explore The Magic Of Ajanta And Ellora Caves, India ~
« Reply #14 on: May 20, 2014, 02:19:15 PM »
Explore The Magic Of Ajanta And Ellora Caves, India

Within the northern portion of Maharashtra state in India is situated one of the world's best Buddhist sites, which is full of ancient paintings, stone carvings and other cultural masterpieces, each with its own unique character, colours, nuances and traditional symbols. Moreover, there is not one, but two common sites which create an even more irresistible choice for your history and culture trips, as well as transform your history and culture trips into a wonderful adventure through the bygone centuries. This is a tour in around 2nd century BC which continues to around 6th century - a tour that helps you to explore the magic of Ajanta and Ellora caves, India, and transport yourself to one of the most beautiful ancient periods in all over the world.




It would be a truly magical and fairytale transportation throughout the centuries, because as soon as you get in front the complex cave systems of Ajanta and Ellora you will be right in the middle of a pristine unspoiled mountain paradise, or at least it seems so. The mountain slopes and rocks are carved out to provide a complex network of cave systems with long narrow passages, wooden doors, tiny little niches and gorgeous Buddhist shrines. Among the spacious halls and rooms you can also spot numerous majestic stupas and huge statues of Buddha, while perhaps the most beautiful sights to witness are displayed on the walls. From ancient colourful rock paintings and friezes, to lush complex details and wall ornaments - the cave systems of Ajanta and Ellora keep lots of historical secrets to explore. And everything is situated deep into the massive rocks, dozens of kilometers away from the urbanization or the noises of the cars from 21st century. Your trip will definitely change into a special and magical journey throughout the centuries, while a thought that you will explore a huge portion of the amazing India's Buddhist cultural legacy will seduce you to enjoy a truly long exploration trip. For example, begin your trip from the scenic green shores of a long winding river, which steep rocky valleys are dotted by the dozen sites of Ajanta Caves system. There, an elevation of about 500 meters offers plenty of steep panoramic hills to climb and enjoy the flawless panoramic vistas. The site itself is so huge and beautiful that you may need even a couple of days to discover the true natural beauty of Ajanta. In a close proximity of only about a couple of kilometers are situated numerous scenic villages which offer all your coforts to stay, dine and relax. Pimpaldari, Fardapur and Ajanta villages are only a few examples. The access to the cave system is a pretty impressive adventure, thanks to the numerous hills, forests and long narrow trails. Make sure to have your camera and lots of free memory, because the scenic unspoiled mountain scenery will tempt you to become a photographer. And that's only if you prefer to begin your trip from Ajanta. Ellora Caves system is situated at a distance of a hundred kilometers, which means only about an hour's drive. It would also be a truly magical drive though the mountain beauties and scenic natural colours of the state's northern portion, which also keeps lots of natural wonders to explore. Ellora Caves are a bit different - they include an array of temples, rock walls and numerous caves of course, and they all display a legacy from around 7th century.



This is right after the urbanization of Ajanta Caves, which enjoys a legacy from 2nd century BC to around 6th-7th century. Nowadays, the both sites are irresistible  spots for history and culture trips, and they are often quite overcrowded. The best thing  is that they include perhaps the most beautiful and well-preserved displays of Buddhist wall paintings and other religious items in all over India, as well as situated in a close proximity of only about an hour's drive. A great idea after your first view at Ajanta, is a short trip to Ellora. Ellora Caves are situated right next to the village of Ellora, in a quite more inhabited  and developed area. There, the nearly 700 meters tall mountain cliffs are accompanied by lots of other natural beauties such as rivers, waterfalls, lakes and other water  areas, but the huge cave system is the main emphasis on the list with the beautiful sights to explore. The cave system is full of typical temples and caves that are cut out of the solid walls of rocks. They all were created in around 7th century, which depicts the prosperity and thriving population within the region of northern Maharashtra. Moreover, the temples and caves in Ellora showcase three main religions - Buddhist, Hindu and Jain, which are implemented in a variety of statues, shrines, typical ornaments and decorations. Ellora caves are perhaps the most beautiful and well-preserved collection of Buddhist temples and shrines in all over India, and you can easily reveal the true hidden mystery of the centuries even through a blink of the eye. The dark brown colours of the rocks are so decorated and ornate that their countless forms and shapes provide countless dark shadows when they are bathed by the sunshine. From arches, pillars, statues and Chaitya halls, to plenty of smaller religious details - all the striking sights to witness are a part of the Ellora's monastic constructions, a.k.a. Viharas and Mathas. The step-like constructions of the temples stretch to over a dozen meters high above the ground and they create scenic passages and walkways between their walls. And that's only from around the open air areas within the complex.



The cave systems are even numerous and more inspiring and they include as follow: 17 Hindu caves, 12 Buddhist caves and only 5, but exceptionally beautiful Jain caves. They all were built in different periods from 5th to 10th century, right after the thriving period of Ajanta. This might be a sign for a transportation of the people from one to another place, yet the caves in Ellora are full of living and sleeping rooms, and other well-distinctive habits. The Jain caves are only 5, but they include perhaps the most complex and beautiful paintings, reliefs, friezes, inscriptions and colourful decorations in all over the site. Return to Ajanta Caves system and discover another historical charm, which is a bit different and quite more ancient. It features a legacy from 2nd century BC, when the ancient civilizations built out of the solid rocks 5 beautiful caves with sacred religious items. They are numbered from 9 to 15 and they depict a unique collection of artworks from the Satavahana age. Two of the caves feature gigantic stupas, while the most beautiful paintings and art decorations can be found within the other caves. They are these caves and halls that were built during a second well-distinctive period - after 5th century.



These caves are also numerated and you may need even a full-day to explore all of them, because they are filled by gorgeous well-preserved paintings and wall  decorations. As soon as you enter in the Viharas you can come across a variety of other interesting sights to witness, while a huge spacious area inside the rocks offers a unique sense of a spiritual freedom. The sound acoustics are fabulous, while the natural darkness within the caves highlights the countless gorgeous shapes and forms through a captivating way. After your exploration historic trips within  the cave systems of Ajanta, a great idea is to enjoy all the splendid vistas of the rock-cut temples and caves through a quite different point of view.



It comes to a hiking trip along the valley of the river or atop the lush green hills just outside the river, which offers some really breathtaking panoramic vistas. Make sure to have lots of free memory on your camera, take some breathtaking photos, and go again in Ellora to enjoy its unsurpassed natural beauty too. You may need another fabulous day in Ellora and more time for the outdoor amusements, because they include hiking, picnicking, wildlife watching, etc. When you already know the history and the magic of this enormous cave site you will have more time for outdoor exploration tours. For instance, the sunset offers truly irresistible settings, especially when the ancient dark colours of the rock temples are bathed by the golden glow of the sunset, just like hundreds of years ago.


           A close proximity of nearly a hundred kilometers between Ajanta and Ellora caves transforms the area into one of the most visited historical landmarks in all over India. This historical landmarks also displays one of the most beautiful collections related to the Buddhist cultural legacy in all over the world, while the numerous historic relics, statues, caves and other places will seduce you to enjoy truly long trips. They would be truly magical and unforgettable history and culture trips in the legacy of India, as well as perfect choice to escape from your everyday life and transport yourself to around 2nd century BC. Explore the magic of Ajanta and Ellora caves, India, explore a unique collection of ancient paintings, Hindu and Buddhist religious sites, and dive yourself in the magic of India!